From Ernest Best Anane
The new Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Peter Anarfi-Mensah, last week Thursday jointly assisted the Omanhene of Ejisu, Oguakro Afranie Okesse, to commission a new divisional police headquarters at Ejisu. The edifice was constructed by the Ejisu Municipal Assembly, in conjunction with chiefs of the area.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, re-affirmed the police administration’s determination to serve the public with humility and integrity in their quest to maintain and give meaning to their motto ”Service with Integrity”.
He said the police, in line with the dictates of the Constitution, would maintain law and order to ensure stability and the socio-economic growth of the country.
He emphasised that effective law enforcement today was indeed a shared responsibility between the police and community, and added that the mandate of the organisation can hardly be achieved without collaborative efforts and support between-among the police, government and the general public, represented by nananom, the business community, public spirited individuals, civil society groups and financial institutions among others.
He said it has also become a policy of the government to encourage public -private partnership in the provision of critical infrastructure in the country, and expressed gratitude to the Municipal Chief Executive and Assembly for the initiative to construct the facility for the Ghana Police Service.
The IGP noted that the gesture was a demonstration of what a police-civilian partnership could offer within the context of public safety and security for the benefit of our communities.
He indicated that over the years the police administration had embarked on various strategies and policy initiatives aimed at galvanising multi-sectoral approaches and support in improving their infrastructural needs.
These numerous efforts, he said, notwithstanding, infrastructure, would continue to be a change in the service, without public support such as what the Assembly had constructed.
The IGP stated that with rapid population increase, and the establishment of police stations in these communities, it was necessary to help increase police accessibility and visibility, in order to prevent and reduce the commission of crimes in these communities.
DCOP Kofi Boakye, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, commended the Assembly, under the leadership of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Mr. Afrifa Yamoah Ponko, for the efforts put in place to help the maintenance of law and order in the municipality and nearby communities.
He also expressed worry about the recent attitude of impunity and intolerance on the part of the youth of Ejisu, and stressed that the police were ready to deal with any such attitudes.
Mr. Peter Anarfi-Mensah, making his first public appearance as the new Ashanti Regional Minister, emphasised the determination of his administration to collaborate with the security agencies in the region to maintain law and order.
He indicated that he attaches importance to the maintenance of security, since security plays a significant role in our socio-economic development for stability and to promote economic activities in the country.
The Regional Minister commended the efforts by the security agencies in the region over the years in ensuring that it remains the most peaceful area in the country.
Mr. Afrifa Yamoah Ponko commended the Regional Police Commander and police administration, the security services and Nananom towards efforts at fighting criminal activities and indiscipline in the area.
He assured the police administration of the Assembly’s support to the police personnel to realise their mandate in the maintenance of law and order, and make the area peaceful.