Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has urged Ghana's security agencies to avoid intimidating members of the public and instead build trust through professionalism and clear communication.

Addressing staff of the Ministry of the Interior, the vice president said public confidence in the security services is essential for effective law enforcement and national development.

She said security personnel must make themselves approachable and help citizens understand that their work is intended to protect them.

"The public must have faith in us," she said. "We must be friendly. We must put ourselves out there for them to know that it's for their benefit that we exist."

Prof Opoku-Agyemang cautioned against exploiting or unnecessarily intimidating members of the public, stressing that officers should explain the reasons behind their actions.

"So we don't exploit people. We don't intimidate people unnecessarily. But we explain the basis of our actions," she said.

She noted that public perceptions of security institutions are important and encouraged officers to work in ways that strengthen public confidence and encourage collaboration.

According to the Vice President, security remains the foundation for national development and called on the agencies to continue supporting the government's vision while maintaining the trust of the public.