Criminals go digital; BNI must stay two steps ahead – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has urged the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), now the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), to accelerate its adoption of digital technology to stay ahead of criminals who are increasingly exploiting technology to commit sophisticated crimes.

He said the changing nature of criminal activities, including cybercrime, online scams and hacking, required security agencies to continuously modernise their operations and strengthen their technological capabilities.

Speaking at the commissioning of 111 new vehicles and a Digital Forensic Laboratory for the Bureau, President Mahama stressed the need for the intelligence agency to remain ahead of criminals through digitalisation.

“The face of crime is changing. Crime used to be analogue before. But as technology develops, crime too has become digital,” he said.

He added that modern criminal activities were no longer limited to physical robbery and burglary, as criminals increasingly relied on digital platforms to execute their operations.

“The more sophisticated crime is the scammers, the hackers and all those kinds of people who use digital means to commit crime,” President Mahama stated.

Quoting a Ghanaian expression, he said, “Wiase dane a, wo nso dane bi,” to emphasise the need for the Bureau to adapt to changing circumstances.

“So as the criminals take one step towards digitalisation, we also, as a Bureau, must take two steps ahead of them in terms of digitalisation. That is why this Digital Forensic Lab is important,” he said.

President Mahama explained that the laboratory would strengthen the Bureau’s ability to retrieve and analyse digital evidence, particularly information stored on mobile phones, to support criminal investigations.

He cited instances where information retrieved from the mobile phones of suspected armed robbers had helped investigators identify other members of criminal gangs and establish their involvement in robbery operations.

“Just by getting the phone of a suspect, you are able to get so much information that helps you in terms of investigating what has happened,” he noted.

The President said the new facility would therefore play a critical role in tackling cybercrime and other sophisticated digital offences while improving the effectiveness of intelligence-led investigations.

Beyond the forensic laboratory, President Mahama commissioned 111 vehicles comprising 100 Mitsubishi pickup trucks, six Toyota LX station wagons and five Toyota Prado vehicles to improve the Bureau’s operational mobility.

He said inadequate vehicles had previously affected the efficiency of officers, particularly those required to travel to different locations for intelligence gathering and investigations.

“One of the major things that has hampered the efficient work of the Bureau has been lack of vehicles. I have seen some of your vehicles, very tattered and old, but struggling to travel from here to Boko or somewhere just to gather intelligence. That is going to be a thing of the past,” he said.

President Mahama, however, cautioned officers against reckless use of the newly supplied vehicles and urged the Bureau’s transport personnel to ensure regular maintenance.

He said the vehicles should serve the agency for at least eight to ten years if properly maintained.

The President also commended the Director-General of the Bureau for the modernisation initiatives undertaken during his tenure, including the construction of eight additional regional offices expected to be completed in 2027.

He further highlighted the renovation of interrogation rooms, which have been equipped with soundproofing and digital recording systems to improve investigative processes while protecting the dignity of individuals who appear before the Bureau.

President Mahama assured the Bureau that government would continue to invest in the security agencies, announcing plans to procure additional vehicles for the security services in 2027, with the NIB expected to benefit.