Introduction
In recent months, Ghana has experienced two notable but different detentions that have sparked heated discussions about institutional integrity and the broader concept of national security. First, on May 27, 2025, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) invited Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional chairman of the NPP, to be detained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO). He had been cautioned about illicit mining, and causing the State to suffer financial losses among others. Due to a pending High Court application to appeal his bail, his release was postponed after he was granted GH₵ 50 million bail with two justified sureties. On June 2, that motion was finally withdrawn, opening the door for his eagerly anticipated release the next day (myjoyonline.com ; pulseghana.com).
On August 20, 2025, a well known dancehall artiste, Charles Nii Armanh Mensah known as Shatta Wale, presented himself at EOCO headquarters following an American request tied to a U.S. fraud investigation involving a 2019 Lamborghini Urus linked to a $4 million scheme. After fulfilling the terms of his bail, which were changed from GH₵10 million to GH₵5 million, he was released on August 21 after being detained overnight. He was then required to report to EOCO three times a week. Both incidents led to obvious public responses, from political supporters coaxed to attend EOCO premises to Shatta Wale’s devoted fans gathering en masse outside the EOCO office in solidarity (apnews.com ; myjoyonline.com ; pulseghana.com).
These events happened a few months apart and it gives a glimpse of a possible trend: when influential figures challenge or demean institutions, the public tends to mirror such attitudes. The resulting erosion of confidence in bodies like EOCO threatens not only their effectiveness in enforcing the rule of law but also more broadly, the systemic security architecture of our nation.
Amid rising threats from financial crime to corruption, EOCO stands as a key defender of Ghana’s integrity. Undermining such institutions, even through performative defiance or partisan posturing, risks weakening the very foundations of our collective security.
This article holds the position that leaders consciously and unconsciously have a big impact on how the public views security. Disregard for security procedures by leaders can lead followers to mimic this behavior, undermining national safeguarding institutions and risking global image.
Security beyond the police and the trend of mimicry.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) plays a crucial role in national security by safeguarding the economy, deterring corruption, and maintaining public trust. Mandated by law, EOCO investigates, prosecutes, and recovers proceeds from economic and organized crimes which are fundamental to maintaining state integrity and resource stability. Its 2023–2028 strategic plan targets enhancing inter-agency partnerships, technological adoption, and operational resilience. EOCO also collaborates with entities like the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF) to ensure accurate royalty collection from the extractive sector, thereby strengthening revenue integrity and securing state resources (eoco.gov.gh).
Modern security paradigms acknowledge the fundamental role of intelligence, anti-fraud, and economic recovery agencies in public safety. Ghanaian security scholarship emphasizes the growing significance of non-police actors, including private security firms and institutions tackling financial and cyber threats, as they address state mechanism vulnerabilities and contribute to overall security governance (Abudu et al., 2013; Jedidigah et al., 2020).
In the recent EOCO cases involving Chairman Wontumi and Shatta Wale, the public’s behavior closely reflected the actions and attitudes of these influential individuals. Chairman Wontumi’s supporters exhibited defiance and prioritized loyalty by gathering outside EOCO offices and questioning the institution’s motives. Likewise, Shatta Wale’s fans mobilized in solidarity, chanting, displaying placards, and demanding his release, mirroring the public discontent expressed by their idol, as evidenced by scenes of fans massing at EOCO premises and disrupting traffic (adomonline.com ; vanguardngr.com).
The observed trend reflects a broader social phenomenon where individuals, particularly followers, emulate the emotional and behavioral cues of opinion leaders (Bourgeous &Hess, 2008 ; Van Baaren et al., 2004). This social mimicry, a psychological mechanism fostering affiliation, is supported by theories like the multi-step flow, where mediators who are opinion leaders influence audiences and leaders cultivate norms (Bourgeous &Hess, 2008 ; Paller, 2014 ; Van Baaren et al., 2004). The replicated reactions in EOCO cases exemplify these deep-rooted social influence processes, transmitting leaders’ attitudes toward institutions and potentially impacting public behavior and institutional respect.
The risks of undermining security institutions
The first and obvious is the erosion of public trust. When security institutions like EOCO are publicly challenged or discredited, citizens begin to lose faith in their integrity. This hinders development progress and thus prevents the nation from achieving its set goals.
Second is reduced legitimacy and resilience of the institution. Strong institutional frameworks that are characterized by autonomy, a well-defined mission, and cooperation are crucial for preventing corruption and upholding legitimacy (Friday et al., 2025). According to Nonki Tadida, (2023) studies on supreme audit institutions (SAIs) demonstrates that anti-corruption organizations that are built with robust institutional safeguards considerably reduce perceptions of corruption.
Undermining security institutions risks increased instability and thus reduced effectiveness. A 2025 analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) highlights that Ghana faces heightened security threats from organized crime to political unrest and vigilantism. It is reported to be the case largely because key institutions suffer from poor accountability, corruption, and collapse of public trust. Unfortunately, when institutions fail to command legitimacy, communities may resort to self-help mechanisms, increasing disorder (csis.org).
The largest risk yet is the broader security implications, as modern threats like corruption, cybercrime, financial fraud, environmental crimes, and extremism are interconnected. Weakening agencies like EOCO impede the state’s cross-domain coordination capabilities. Zdilar, (2023) asserts that comprehensive security necessitates cooperation among state institutions, civil society, and international partners for resilience. Simply, disrespect for security institutions is not an isolated civic misstep, it weakens the state’s capacity to protect its economy, democracy, and communities from evolving, cross-border threats.
Leaders’ role in safeguarding security
Leaders wield influence that extends far beyond words, every public gesture and statement sends cues that followers and institutions internalise so it is important that they set the tone by being a good example. When prominent or popular figures act with transparency and humility, they reinforce trust in security institutions. Conversely, defiance or disrespect undermines institutional credibility and emboldens followers to replicate this conduct.
Integrity is enhanced by accountability and the sitting president restated that responsibility, not privilege, is the foundation of leadership in his engagement with Ghanaians in Ethiopia early this year. He also cautioned ministers against conceit and disdain toward the people they serve, and he asked public servants to set an example and be ready to account to them (myjoyonline.com).
Leaders can leverage strategic communication to foster trust. Security experts opine that fostering public trust requires carefully planned scenarios in which leaders skillfully use the media to draw attention to institutional initiatives (Awashreh &Alshuhoomi, 2025). An example worthy of noting is Shatta Wale commending the current Acting Executive Director of EOCO and the staff for treating him respectfully and with utmost professionalism regarding his detention.
Security agencies should be supported with adequate resources to boost operations while maintaining their independence as it is key to confronting security threats and keeping its assigned peoples safe.
Citizens’ responsibility
Citizens should follow the law and show respect for institutions. Constitutional and statutory laws are binding on citizens both legally and ethically and as such, every citizen of Ghana has an explicit obligation. This includes to “uphold and defend this Constitution and the law” and “cooperate with lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order” according to Article 41 of the 1992 Constitution. Also, citizens must cooperate with security institutions to enable them to function effectively.
Beyond mere compliance, citizens should take an active role in civic life. This entails abiding by tax regulations, truthfully declaring income, safeguarding public assets, and preventing the misappropriation of public funds. “Protect and preserve public property and expose and combat misuse and waste of public funds and property” is another duty imposed on citizens by Article 41.
To uphold institutional legitimacy and foster peace, citizens must avoid undermining behaviors such as vilifying institutions, spreading unverified claims or engaging in mob reactions. Instead, individuals should pursue redress through lawful and peaceful means, respecting the rule of law as a framework for fairness. Disagreements with leaders or policies should be expressed constructively through democratic channels like peaceful protest, civic dialogue, petitions, and media engagement (ghanabusinessnews.com).
Conclusion
Both incidents are bad, but political actors have set a worrying tone that the younger individuals are practicing as seen in the case of Shatta wale and thus should not be overlooked.
Safeguarding security is a shared responsibility that extends beyond the actions of enforcement agencies to the behavior of leaders and citizens alike. A culture of accountability, respect, and collaboration is essential for democratic institutions in a time when there are many varied security risks, such as misinformation, cybercrime, and corruption.
References
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