Parliament has passed the Security and Intelligence Agencies Bill, 2025, restoring the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to its former name, Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), following the bill’s third reading.
The legislation introduces sweeping changes to Ghana’s security architecture, including the renaming of the agency to eliminate confusion with the National Investment Bank.
It also abolishes the position of a standalone Minister for National Security.
Under the new law, oversight of national security will be assigned to a minister appointed by the President, who will supervise the National Security Coordinator.
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, explained that the move is intended to reduce institutional friction and streamline decision-making within the security framework.
The Act further establishes the Office of the National Security Coordinator, alongside Regional and District Security Councils, to strengthen coordination and implementation of government security policies.
Presenting the bill on the floor of the House, Mr. Muntaka noted that it seeks to provide a comprehensive framework for the National Security Council and define the roles of state agencies responsible for safeguarding both internal and external security.
However, the passage of the bill was met with strong opposition from the Minority in Parliament.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, argued that the legislation concentrates excessive power in the hands of the National Security Coordinator and weakens parliamentary oversight.
He questioned the necessity of the reforms, stating that there was no clear evidence to justify such extensive changes.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Intelligence, Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, defended the bill, noting that it aligns with the government’s policy direction to enhance coordination among security and intelligence agencies under a centralized structure.
The new law is expected to significantly reshape the country’s security governance system, with proponents arguing it will improve efficiency, while critics warn of potential risks to accountability.
