A citizen, Maxwell Okamafo Addo, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, over what he describes as a looming threat to national security posed by an ongoing high-rise construction project opposite the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra.
In the petition dated October 1, 2025, Mr. Addo alleged that Japan Motors, a Lebanese-owned company under the Kalmoni Group, is putting up a 14-storey building overlooking the CID Headquarters.
He expressed fears that the project could compromise the safety of one of the country’s most sensitive security installations.
“The CID Headquarters encompasses command centres, intelligence offices, cybersecurity hubs, and other facilities central to national defence. Allowing a skyscraper directly overlooking such a place is extremely dangerous,” the petition read.
Mr. Addo referenced international examples such as the FBI Headquarters in the United States and UK intelligence buildings, noting that security-sensitive structures are normally protected from encroaching developments.
He argued that urban planning guidelines globally restrict skyscrapers from being built close to national security facilities due to surveillance risks and possible physical threats.
He further claimed that under former President John Dramani Mahama, Japan Motors’ initial proposal was blocked by the then National Security Advisor over similar concerns, but insisted that current authorities appear to have overlooked the danger.
“Can a Ghanaian company or individual in Lebanon put up such a project opposite a major national security installation and go scot-free?” he questioned, urging government to halt the project and investigate how the company obtained its permits.
According to Mr. Addo, the building poses “a recipe for disaster” if allowed to proceed, stressing that national security agencies must intervene immediately.
The petitioner also attached photographs of the construction site as part of the evidence submitted to the IGP.
Meanwhile, there has been no official response yet from the Ghana Police Service, the Ministry of National Security, or the developers of the project.
Source: Adomonline
Read the full petition below:
1ST OCTOBER, 2025
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
NATIONAL POLICE HEADQUARTERS
ACCRA
Dear Sir,
PETITION FOR ASSISTANCE (THREAT TO SECURITY)
Sir, I wish to bring to your notice that the CID Headquarters in Accra is in serious danger as the state security apparatus looks on for a Lebanese Company Japan motors group of companies owned by the Kalmoni family, put up a 14-story building to overlook the CID Headquarters.
Currently work is ongoing with their Skyrise building at the blind side of the Ghana Government at the expense of the safety of the citizens. Akuffo Dampare the outgone Inspector General may have seen it as part of his beautification Project but that is very Dangerous. The Ghana Police Service must not sleep on it.
The national security infrastructure like the CID Headquarters like others plays a crucial role in maintaining the sovereignty and security of a state. The CID HEADQUARTERS encompasses a vast array of facilities, including command centers, intelligence offices, cyber security hubs, police installations, and other sensitive sites that are central to a country’s defense and intelligence operations. Apart from very popular buildings like presidential villas and security ministries and departments all over the world, that are well-protected, many other structures equally have more sensitive structures. For example, the FBI headquarters is among the most sensitive buildings in the United States. Also, buildings housing any of the United Kingdom’s intelligence agencies are as important as the No. 10 Downing Street where the Prime Minister lives and works. There are some of the fundamental aspects of national security infrastructure and the importance of maintaining their exclusivity. Hence, my difficulty with this breach by Japan Motors.
National security buildings are often strategically placed based on their function. For example, command centers may be in areas that are less prone to attacks or natural disasters. Access to these areas is severely restricted, with multiple levels of security checks, often including biometric authentication, security barriers, and escorted access for visitors.
These buildings are designed with robustness in mind to withstand a variety of threats ranging from physical attacks to natural calamities. Enhanced structural measures like reinforced walls, blast-resistant materials, and secure communication lines are standard features.
A clear perimeter often surrounds national security structures, serving as a buffer zone. This helps in controlling surveillance opportunities from adjacent buildings. Restrictions on airspace above and near sensitive installations prevent unauthorized surveillance or attacks from the air.
Urban planning plays a crucial role in ensuring that new developments do not encroach on security infrastructure, maintaining the necessary exclusivity. Developments near national security sites undergo rigorous vetting processes to evaluate potential security implications over time. Our checks revealed that under the John Dramani Mahama’s administration his former National Security Advisor stopped Japan Motors from putting up the structure because the building and its design is not fit to be built directly opposite the CID Headquarters. But as things stand now, it looks like other security Capos in the country are not seeing the danger it poses.
I ask can a Ghanaian company or an individual in Lebanon do this and go Scot-free? This project by Kalmoni & Sons must be stopped immediately. The government of Ghana must stop the project without delay and prosecute the people who gave them a permit to start the project. They cannot destroy the security architecture of this country. It’s imperative that such close skyscrapers cannot be built around the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) for security reasons. So, it’s important we take a look at such structures overlooking the CID Headquarters.
This edifice is a recipe for disaster if it is put to use. The national security should act now and not later.
Kindly find attached evidential photos of the project in question for your perusal. Thank you.
Counting on your cooperation.
Maxwell Okamafo Addo
National Watchman Carlmazing@yahoo.com
