From Ernest Best Anane
The Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC) has opened an Emergency Response Center for the Northern sector of Ghana at Nkwantakese in the Afigya Kwabre District.
The system includes wire-lines and wireless telephone networks, broadcast and cable television, radio, public safety land mobile radio, satellite systems and the internet, and has trained staff to receive complaints and direct same to the appropriate institutions for quick redress.
The centre will enhance swift response to distress calls in times of disaster or crime for effective implementation of programmes and activities of agencies like the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Narcotics Control Board, National Disaster Management Organisation, National Commission on Small Arms, Ghana Refugee Board, National Peace Council and the Gaming Commission.
Mr. Mark Owen Woyongo, Minister for the Interior, who commissioned the facility last week Wednesday, explained that the Ministry for the Interior is mandated to ensure internal peace and security to enable persons go about their legitimate social and economic activities without fear, let or hindrance.
He said the Ministry’s current focus is to ensure that its agencies reach out to the public as much as possible, so that it can gather relevant information that can provide early warning signals to prevent crime and avert disasters.
The Minister stated that receipt of vital information gathered at the right time contributes to the maintenance of peace and security timely and expeditiously, of which the Ministry for the Interior reviews, formulates, supervises, evaluates and monitors policies relating to the protection of life and property, prevention and mitigation of the effects of disasters, immigration control, prevention and detection of crime , in order to ensure and maintain internal security for all persons in Ghana, and promote peaceful development.
The Minister expressed the Ministry’s gratitude to the Ministry of Communications and GIFEC for creating the emergency response service to serve the Northern part of our country. Mr. Kwabena Owusu Acheampong, Executive Director of GIFEC, commended the Ministry of Communications for the support for the implementation of the project.
He said the ERC has a toll-free number known as 112, which can be called using any of the telecommunication networks in the country with or without airtime and works parallel with the other local emergency numbers until the nation is configured to operate the system.
Nana Kwasi A. Tabi, Director of Finance and Administration, who represented Dr. Omane Boamah, Minister of Communications, also stated that Ambulance Service, Police and NADMO operate with different numbers as is done in every country, and for that matter, Ghana chose 112, while Kumasi is to extend to its service to the northern sector free of charge for any network on mobile phone to control and redirect calls and to give advice in life threatening emergencies.
Mr. Kaakyire Oppong Kyekyeku, DCE for Afigya Kwabre, commended the government, GIFEC and Ministry of Communications for the establishment of the centre in the district to benefit the Northern sector of the country.
Nana Boakye Yam, Chief of Nkwantakese, also commended GIFEC and Ministry and Communication appealed to the GIFEC to put up hostels and hotel facilities in the area for use by stakeholders during training and seminars. The chief gave the assurance to release land for any such projects.