When James relocated his family from London to Accra last year, he never imagined that one of his most challenging decisions would be how to secure his new home. “I wasn’t particularly worried about crime,” he explains from his veranda in East Legon, “but my wife wanted peace of mind, especially during my frequent business trips to neighboring countries.” That’s when they started exploring options for private security in Ghana.
Like many expatriates and returning diasporans, James faced a critical choice: hire guards through an established security company or bring on private security as in-house staff. It’s a decision that affects not just safety, but also privacy, home atmosphere, and budget—a particularly relevant consideration in Ghana, where a 2024 security survey revealed 68% of expatriate households now use hybrid security models combining professional monitoring with private guards.
The Expat Security Mindset: Prevention, Not Paranoia
Ghana ranks among West Africa’s safest countries, yet newcomers often prioritize security arrangements soon after arrival. This isn’t necessarily driven by fear but by practical considerations supported by regional crime data. Police records show that between 2014 and 2017, 5,696 robberies were recorded nationwide, with incidents peaking at five daily cases in 2017.
Residential properties in affluent areas naturally attract more attention. A house in Airport Residential or Cantonments stands out, especially when occupied by foreigners who may be perceived as wealthy. Crime statistics confirm this pattern—Greater Accra (particularly Accra-Tema) and Ashanti (Kumasi) regions experience the highest incidence of robbery and property crime.
“The first question isn’t whether you need security, but what type makes sense for your situation,” explains Kofi Mensah, a security consultant who advises international businesses and diplomatic families. “It’s about creating layers of protection appropriate to your lifestyle.”
For Samantha, an American entrepreneur who moved to Kumasi three years ago, security was about addressing infrastructure gaps. “The power goes out regularly. When that happens, electric gates, alarm systems, and digital locks become useless. Having someone physically present provides continuity during those moments.”
This concern is well-founded. Embassy security recommendations specifically address the need for redundant systems, with experts suggesting that maintaining 50-lux illumination around properties and implementing backup power for security systems are essential precautions in Ghana’s infrastructure context.
Understanding Ghana’s Security Landscape
Walk through any upscale neighborhood in Accra, and you’ll notice security personnel stationed at nearly every gate. Some wear crisp uniforms with company logos, while others dress in plain clothes, looking more like household staff than guards.
The security industry in Ghana has flourished over the past decade, with companies offering everything from basic gatekeeping to sophisticated alarm monitoring and armed response. However, quality varies dramatically, despite the 2007 Private Security Regulations that established baseline requirements:
- Guard vetting through the police Criminal Investigation Department
- Mandatory 216-hour certification for professional security firms
- Minimum wage compliance (¢19/day)
- Firearm proficiency certifications for armed guards
“The best companies invest in training and retention,” notes Mensah. “The worst treat guards as disposable, paying minimum wage for maximum hours.” This disparity creates a market where price rarely indicates the quality of service.
Lisa, a British expat living in Takoradi, learned this the hard way. “We signed with a well-known company, but they kept sending different guards every week. Some would fall asleep, others would bring friends to chat during night shifts. We were paying premium rates but getting subpar service.”
Her experience reflects industry challenges. Major security firms like G4S Ghana face financial pressures from mandatory wage hikes (23.5% in recent years), which can potentially impact service quality and consistency.
The Company Approach: Convenience with Caveats
For many newcomers, the initial instinct is to hire through an established security firm. The appeal is obvious:
- Seeming simplicity: One contract, monthly payment, and replacement guards if someone fails to show up.
- Vetted personnel: Companies claim to background check their employees and provide basic training.
- Insurance and liability: Professional firms are bonded and insured, providing financial protection if something goes wrong.
- 24/7 backup response: Most professional firms maintain rapid response teams for emergencies.
- All-inclusive pricing: The monthly fee covers salaries, uniforms, training, and management overhead.
However, experienced expatriates often point to significant drawbacks:
“The rotation system means you never know who’s watching your home,” explains Thomas, a German engineer who’s lived in Ghana for over a decade. “Monday it’s Francis, Wednesday it’s Kwame, Saturday it’s someone new altogether. Each person learns your routines, when you leave, when you’re alone, what valuables you have.”
This constant rotation creates what security experts call “exposure creep”—the gradual increase in the number of strangers who have intimate knowledge of your household. This is particularly concerning given that 39% of crime victims don’t report incidents due to police accessibility challenges, suggesting that prevention is especially important.
Another concern is oversight. “When guards answer to a company rather than directly to you, their priorities can become confused,” says Mensah. Are they protecting your property or simply fulfilling minimum requirements to keep their jobs?”
Professional security firms typically charge between 12,000-18,500 cedis/month for an armed team, making this a significant investment for most households.
The In-House Alternative: Building a Security Family
After six frustrating months with a security company, James switched to the in-house model, hiring two guards directly as household employees. “The difference was immediate,” he says. “Instead of different faces every few days, we had consistent people who became extensions of our family.”
The in-house approach offers several advantages:
- Relationship building: Guards develop genuine loyalty when treated as valued staff members.
- Customized training: You decide what matters most – strict gate protocols, handling visitors, or property patrols.
- Integration with household: During quiet periods, in-house security can handle additional responsibilities, from accepting deliveries to assisting with basic maintenance.
- Confidentiality: Fewer outside entities know about your household patterns and vulnerabilities.
- Apparent cost efficiency: Private guards typically cost 3,000-6,000 cedis/month per person in base salary, significantly less than corporate security services.
However, it’s crucial to account for the full cost of in-house security beyond the base salary. As an American business owner in Accra, Michael points out: “When you hire directly, you need to budget for additional expenses like housing or housing allowance, meals during shifts, uniforms and their maintenance, healthcare, transportation allowances, and possibly equipment like flashlights or rain gear. These extras can add 30-50% to your baseline costs.”
A significant advantage for many expatriate homes in Ghana is the presence of Boys Quarters (BQ) – separate living quarters traditionally built for household staff. “Having available BQ space can substantially offset your security costs,” notes Rebecca, who manages several properties in Accra. “Many upscale homes already have these quarters, so you’re not paying additional housing allowance. Using existing Boys Quarters, live-in security often provides better round-the-clock protection at a lower overall cost than rotating company guards.”
Many employers also provide end-of-year bonuses or “13th month” payments to retain quality staff, making the true cost higher than the base salary suggests.
Aisha, who returned to Ghana after 15 years in Canada, prefers this model for her family compound in North Legon despite the additional costs. “Our guard Benjamin has been with us for four years. He knows every family member, which vehicles belong to us, and how we handle visitors. That institutional knowledge is priceless.”
The in-house approach comes with other challenges, too. You become responsible for payroll, benefits, training, and finding replacements during illness or vacation. More concerning is the liability risk—private guards lack the insurance coverage and training certifications that professional firms provide. High turnover is also common among independently hired security personnel.
Business Security: Different Needs, Different Solutions
The security equation changes significantly for businesses. Emmanuel runs an import-export company with a warehouse near Tema Port and faces threats different from those faced by homeowners.
“Inventory shrinkage and after-hours break-ins are my main concerns,” he explains. “I need visible deterrence and rapid response capabilities.”
Crime data validates his concerns. Armed robberies often target high-value properties and forex/mobile money businesses at disproportionate rates. Criminals frequently use motorcycles to exploit traffic congestion for quick escapes after commercial robberies.
For commercial operations, security companies often make more sense:
- Scalability: Companies can provide multiple guards across different shifts and locations.
- Specialized services: Business security often requires technical expertise in everything from cargo inspection to CCTV monitoring.
- Insurance requirements: Many international contracts and insurance policies require licensed security providers.
- Liability protection: If security personnel must intervene in a serious incident, having institutional backing provides legal protection.
- Simplified accounting: A single monthly invoice versus managing multiple employees with various benefits and allowances.
“For my warehouse, I use a reputable firm that specializes in commercial properties,” says Emmanuel. “But I prefer a private arrangement with one trusted individual for my home.”
The Hybrid Model: Best of Both Worlds
Many long-term expatriates in Ghana eventually settle on a hybrid security approach that combines elements of both systems. According to recent surveys, 68% of expat households now use this model.
Sarah, an Australian who’s lived in Ghana for eight years, describes her evolution: “I started with a company because it seemed easier. After numerous frustrations, I switched to hiring directly. Now I’ve found a middle ground – one permanent guard who lives on the property, plus weekend coverage from a company when he’s off duty.”
This hybrid model offers several advantages:
- Core consistency: Your primary security person provides continuity and builds institutional knowledge.
- Scheduling flexibility: Company guards can fill gaps on weekends, holidays, or during your primary guard’s time off.
- Redundancy: Different security approaches cover for each other’s weaknesses.
- Cost management: You invest more in your primary security (housing and meals) while using the pay-per-shift model for supplemental coverage.
Technology adds another layer to this hybrid approach. Embassy security recommendations emphasize the importance of:
- Perimeter hardening through ASTM F2656-rated window films and anti-ram bollards
- Access control using biometric systems rather than physical keys
- Staff training on non-confrontational robbery response protocols
- Consistent 50-lux illumination around properties
These technological measures complement human security rather than replacing it, creating the layered approach security experts consistently recommend.
Making Your Decision: A Personal Security Framework
Your optimal security solution depends on several factors unique to your situation:
- Property characteristics: Is your home isolated, or in a gated community with existing security? Does it have Boys Quarters that could house security staff?
- Regional risk factors: Expatriates in Accra’s East Legon or Kumasi’s Ahodwo suburbs typically require more comprehensive security than those in lower-risk areas.
- Family situation: Do you have children, elderly relatives, or frequent visitors?
- Travel patterns: Are you frequently away, leaving the property unoccupied?
- Budget considerations: In-house staff requires consistent salary, benefits, housing, meals, uniforms, and management.
- Personal comfort: Some people prefer professional distance with security personnel, while others value integration into the household.
Before making your decision, ask yourself these questions:
- How important is building a long-term relationship with your security personnel?
- Do you have the time and inclination to manage staff directly?
- How sensitive is the information about your household routines and valuables?
- Do you need specialized security capabilities beyond basic presence?
- Can you provide appropriate housing, meals, and other benefits for in-house staff?
Beyond Guards: Creating a Comprehensive Security Culture
Regardless of which model you choose, remember that guards are just one component of a comprehensive security approach. Experienced expatriates recommend:
- Community integration: Get to know neighbors and local community leaders.
- Cultural awareness: Understanding local customs reduces the likelihood of unintentionally creating tension.
- Physical security basics: Quality locks, lighting, and visibility matter regardless of who’s watching your gate.
- Emergency planning: Ensure everyone in your household knows what to do during different types of emergencies.
- Police partnerships: The Ghana Police Service’s OPERATION CALM LIFE has reduced urban crime through military-police patrols, and maintaining good relationships with local law enforcement can be beneficial.
“The best security is often invisible,” says Mensah. “It’s not just about having someone at your gate; it’s about creating an environment where problems are unlikely to arise in the first place.”
Conclusion: Security as a Journey, Not a Destination
As James reflects on his security journey over mint tea, he emphasizes that finding the right solution took time. “We tried three different approaches before finding what worked for us. Don’t be afraid to adjust your strategy as you learn more about your neighborhood and your specific needs.”
Whether you choose a security company, in-house staff, or a hybrid approach, which 68% of expatriates now prefer, remember that the goal remains the same: creating an environment where you can focus on enjoying everything Ghana has to offer, rather than worrying about what might go wrong.
Looking for help securing your new home or business in Ghana? At Listings Pro GH, we provide comprehensive relocation services including security consultations, trusted referrals, and expatriate settlement support. Visit ListingsProGH.com to learn more about creating your perfect security solution.
