The Ministry of the Interior has confirmed a 20% reduction in the rent allowance of security personnel, a development that has triggered widespread anger and concern among officers across the country.
The deduction, which comes at a time of rising rental costs and cost-of-living pressures, has deepened frustration within the security services, with many personnel describing the allowance as already inadequate to meet their housing needs.
However, in a clarification issued in Accra, the Interior Ministry distanced itself from the decision, insisting it had no role in the deductions and lacked the mandate to impose taxes on allowances paid to security personnel.
According to the Ministry, the reduction was implemented by the Ministry of Finance, which applied a 20% tax on the rent allowance at source in accordance with existing tax laws.
“The attention of the Ministry of the Interior has been drawn to information circulating in the media that the Ministry has deducted 20% tax from the rent allowance of security services personnel,” the statement said.
“The Ministry wishes to clarify that it does not have the mandate to deduct tax from the rent allowance of security services personnel.”
The clarification effectively shifts responsibility to the Finance Ministry, raising questions about inter-ministerial coordination in the implementation of payroll-related tax policies affecting frontline workers.
The Interior Ministry further urged calm among personnel, assuring them that government had no intention of short-changing security officers and remained committed to their welfare.
“We urge all personnel to remain calm and rest assured that the government will not short change any personnel and will continue to prioritise their welfare,” it added.
Despite the assurance, the development has sparked disquiet within the security services, with concerns mounting over the impact of the deductions on already stretched household incomes.
Many officers say the reduction has worsened their financial strain at a time of persistent inflation and rising accommodation costs.
Security experts note that while the Interior Ministry has attempted to clarify its limited role, the controversy highlights broader issues around how fiscal measures are communicated and implemented across government agencies.
For many affected personnel, however, the immediate concern remains the reduction in take-home pay and the absence of clarity on whether any remedial measures will be introduced to cushion the impact.
