The Wa Municipal Assembly has trained 17 City Guards to support the enforcement of its by-laws, maintain law and order, improve sanitation and apprehend persons who violate Assembly regulations, in line with the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936).
The first-ever batch of City Guards was officially outdoored at a passing-out ceremony held at the 10 Mechanised Battalion Barracks on Monday, August 31, 2026.
The ceremony brought together the Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing Esq., the Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Alhaji Nurah Issah Danwanaa, officers and personnel of the 10 Mechanised Battalion, Assembly staff, parents of the graduands, Tendamba, chiefs and elders. The Secretary to the Wa Naa, Fuseine Pelpuo IV, represented the Wa Naa.
A total of 25 men were initially selected for the exercise. Following internal screening, 18 were presented for military training, with 17 successfully completing a one-week Basic Security and Community Protection Course from August 24 to 30, 2026.
The 17 graduates were subsequently awarded certificates after completing training in physical fitness and endurance, military drill, first aid, day and night patrols, vehicle checkpoints, unarmed combat, fire safety, crowd control, cordon and search, arrest procedures, citizens’ rights and road safety.
Addressing the passing-out parade, the Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Alhaji Nurah Issah Danwanaa, said the initiative was part of the Assembly’s efforts to fulfil its mandate under the Local Governance Act by ensuring law and order, sanitation and compliance with Assembly by-laws.
He described the establishment of the City Guard unit as an innovative initiative and said the guards would work closely with authorised security agencies in the municipality.
According to him, the success of the initiative would not be measured by the number of arrests made but by its impact on the municipality, particularly a reduction in unauthorised street trading, improved sanitation compliance in markets and the Central Business District, greater respect for Assembly by-laws and a cleaner, safer and more orderly Wa.
He appealed to residents, traders, motorists and business owners to cooperate with the City Guards, stressing that their role was to serve the community rather than antagonise residents.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, commended the 10 Mechanised Battalion and the instructors for their role in training the guards.
He charged the newly trained personnel to remain professional and impartial in the discharge of their duties, urging them to eschew “Tijaabunyene,” which he described as favouritism and partiality.
“You must arrest offenders without fear or favour. If it is a revered chief or the Regional Minister who violates the law, you must act appropriately,” he said.
The Minister also cautioned the guards against compromising their integrity for money and called for the inclusion of women in future recruitments.
He further proposed an expansion of the City Guard unit from the current 17 personnel to 50 or more, with the guards properly zoned across the municipality to enhance their effectiveness.
The Course Instructor, Captain Mensah, said the training was designed to equip the guards with the skills and discipline required for community security and public safety.
The Commanding Officer of the 10 Mechanised Battalion also described security as a shared responsibility and acknowledged the support of other institutions, including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, National Road Safety Authority, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority and the Motor Traffic and Transport Department.
Following the ceremony, the Municipal Chief Executive led the newly commissioned City Guards on a procession through the principal streets of Wa to the Wa Naa’s Palace.
The procession was aimed at formally introducing the new unit to traditional authorities, Imams, Tendamba and Yerihi Namine, while sensitising residents on sanitation, public safety and compliance with Assembly by-laws.
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