We are committed to a peaceful, stable and democratic Ghana. This begins with peaceful, free and fair elections. We shall continue our enviable tradition of advocating the enhancement of the integrity of the electoral process and calling for public vigilance to protect the ballot of every Ghanaian. We have been successful in our uncompromising push for a biometric voter register and electronic verification at the polling station. As has always happened in the past, we will play our full part to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections in 2012. 

National security

There is a growing sense of insecurity in our communities. In our newly developing areas and on our highways, Ghanaians are living under siege from armed robbery and other crimes. There is a deep and profound yearning for a greater sense of personal and public safety, and security for all Ghanaians. The security policy of a new NPP government will be to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of gender, tribe, ethnicity, language, religious or political beliefs. All citizens are equal before the law. We will also seek the solidarity and cooperation of all citizens in defence of democratic values. The security agencies protect us against external and internal threats. They will receive the appropriate incentives to enable them to effectively respond to our growing security challenges. Incentives for the Police, Military, Fire Service, the Immigration Service, Prisons Service and Customs division of the Ghana Revenue Authority will include more barracks and communities, and the promotion of home ownership schemes. Career development and progression will be prioritised. 

The Armed Forces: We will ensure that the Armed Forces possess the capacity to engage effectively in their core function of defending the territorial integrity of the country. 

The Police: Our police policy will be to enhance professionalism through better training, better resources and enhanced conditions of service. We will, increase police numbers and make the service more responsive to the people rather than the powers than the powers that be.

Criminal Justice System

The impact of a lack of safety and security on the economy cannot be over-emphasised. We will expand the “Justice for All Programme” initiated by the NPP. We will review and enhance the existing Remand Review Project and introduce three other projects: The Sentencing Policy Project, the Prosecutors Project and the Systems and Procedures Analysis Project. 

Narcotics

Increased use of, and trade in illegal drugs are a major threat to Ghana and our youth. It is also and issue of national security as our nation is used as a transit point. We will introduce a robust and comprehensive anti-narcotic drug and anti-organised crime policy and plan. This policy and plan will have four key areas .

Prevention: We will develop a comprehensive inter agency prevention policy aimed at preventing hard drugs from being imported into Ghana and also preventing Ghana from being used as a trans-shipment point.

Sanctions: A thorough review of the existing sanctions regime will be undertaken. This will prioritise stiffer punishment and the improvement of the legal regime relating to recovery of proceeds of crime. 

Education: A comprehensive drugs education policy will be developed and implemented. This will be targeted at youth in particular and the public in general.

Rehabilitation: Only by tackling drug addiction will we reduce internal demand for drugs. The possibility of expanding existing institutions and co-operating with religious groups and civil society to fight drug addiction will be explored in addition to a new policy to address drug and organised crime issues. 

Working against Corruption

There is intense public anger over the unprecedented levels of corruption the nation is witnessing under the Mills-Mahama government. Among the major corruption issues are deliberate criminality, bad public sector governance, poor management practices, weak law enforcement, payments of dubious judgment debts and questionable settlements. We will usher in a new and principled commitment to fight corruption and for the prudent use of public funds. Corruption will be fought with  renewed vigour, honesty and integrity. The NPP will give all relevant institutions, a new confidence and professional freedom to fight corruption effectively.

Our policy will be to tackle corruption head on through preventive, corrective and punitive mechanisms. Our anti-corruption policy will be based on three key pillars. These pillars are institutional reform, legislative reform and attitudinal change.