WA METROPOLITAN ASSEMBLY OUTDOORS FIRST-EVER CITY GUARDS IN UPPER WEST REGION

The Wa Metropolitan Assembly has officially outdoored its first-ever batch of City Guards at a passing-out ceremony held at the 10 Mechanised Battalion Barracks today 31st August, 2026.

The ceremony was attended by the Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing Esq., as Special Guest of Honour, the Wa Metropolitan Chief Executive, Hon. Alhaji Nurah Issah Danwanaa, the Commanding Officer and staff of the 10 Mechanised Battalion, staff of the Assembly, parents of the graduands, Tendamba, chiefs and elders. The Secretary to the Wa Naa Fuseine pelpuo IV represented His Royal Highness.

A total of 25 men were initially prepared for the exercise. After internal screening, 18 were presented for military training, of which 17 successfully completed the one-week Basic Security and Community Protection Course from 24th to 30th August, 2026, and were awarded certificates.

Addressing the parade, the Mayor, Hon. Alhaji Nurah Issah Danwana, said the initiative is in line with the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) to maintain law and order, ensure sanitation and apprehend offenders who violate Assembly by-laws. He described it as an innovative novelty in the history of the Assembly.

He stated that the Guards will work closely with authorized security agencies under his direct command as Mayor, and their performance will not be measured by the number of arrests but by impact – reduction in unauthorized street trading, improved sanitation compliance in markets and the Central Business District, respect for by-laws and a cleaner, safer and more orderly Wa.

He appealed to residents, traders, motorists and business owners to cooperate with the Guards, stressing that they are not their enemies but are there to serve the Assembly.

The Regional Minister commended the Battalion and its instructors and charged the Guards to eschew “Tijaabunyene” – favouritism and partiality – and to apprehend offenders without fear or favour.

“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 stated.

He further urged them not to compromise their integrity for money and called for the inclusion of women in subsequent recruitments, proposing an expansion of the unit from 17 to 50 or more personnel to be properly zoned across the metropolis.

The Course Instructor, Captain Mensah, said the training covered physical fitness and endurance, 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, with emphasis on discipline and professionalism.

The Commanding Officer of the 10 Mechanised Battalion noted that security is a shared responsibility and thanked the Assembly and supporting agencies including the Police, Fire Service, National Road Safety Authority, DVLA and MTTD. After the ceremony, the Mayor led the newly commissioned City Guards on a procession through the principal streets of Wa to the Wa Naa’s Palace to formally inform the traditional authorities, Imams, Tendamba and Yerihi Namine of their mission, while sensitising the public on sanitation, public safety and apprehend of offenders who violate Assembly by-laws.