Stories and facts

The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), formerly known as the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), is Ghana’s main internal intelligence agency.

Operating under the National Security Council, the NIB is responsible for counterintelligence, internal security, and investigating major crimes.

It has the authority to arrest, detain, and interrogate individuals involved in offenses such as organized crime, financial fraud, espionage, terrorism, and drug trafficking. The Bureau also supports the President and National Security Council with intelligence to address threats to national stability.

The agency operates under the Security and Intelligence Agencies Act (Act 526) of 1996 and has offices across all sixteen regions of Ghana. In November 2020, its name was officially changed from the Bureau of National Investigations to the National Intelligence Bureau.

Ghana’s intelligence system dates back to the country’s decolonization era when India assisted in establishing two intelligence services, the Foreign Service Research Bureau for external affairs and the Special Branch for domestic intelligence.

The Special Branch later became the Bureau of National Investigations, a civilian-run agency tasked with counterintelligence and monitoring internal threats to the state.

Today, the National Intelligence Bureau continues to play a vital role in protecting Ghana’s national security, maintaining internal peace, and ensuring the safety of its citizens.

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