- “We can help the police succeed in this endeavour if we urge them and the other security services on and give them as much support and co-operation in the fight as we can”
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has restated the government’s support for recent actions taken by the acting Inspector General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare, which have elicited strong backing from the public.
Addressing the graduation ceremony of the 50th Officer Cadet Course of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) in Tesano, Accra, on Friday (1 October), President Akufo-Addo said the acting IGP “has, so far, vindicated my decision to repose trust in him to hold this high office”.
“I am confident that, once the necessary processes are completed, which I am sure will be soon, he will become our nation’s 23rd Inspector General of Police,” the president said.
Support and co-operation
The president’s speech to the new police graduates touched on recent incidents of violent crime in some parts of the country, which have raised widespread concern about safety and security among members of the public.
He assured Ghanaians that the police, and, indeed, all the other security services, are determined to deal decisively with the threats posed by dangerous criminals and criminal syndicates.
“We can help them succeed in this endeavour if we urge the police and the other security services on and give them as much support and co-operation in the fight as we can,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo declared that the most important things for any nation are the peace and safety of its people, and its territorial integrity.
Quoting from Article 200 (3) of the constitution, which states that “the police service shall be equipped and maintained to perform its traditional role of maintaining law and order”, the president explained that the ultimate goal of this provision is to enshrine explicitly the right of the ordinary citizen to feel safe, and to go about his or her everyday life free from the fear of crime and insecurity.
“The police service is further mandated by the Police Service Act 1970 (Act 350) to prevent and detect crime, apprehend offenders, and maintain the safety of persons and property,” he said.
“The effective execution of this mandate is premised on building a professional police service that is accountable, responsive, transparent, trustworthy, and which accommodates the concerns of the general public that it serves. We want to go back to the good old days of policing where people felt that all the efforts of the police were geared towards making their lives more comfortable.”
Global outlook
Citing the 2020 Global Peace Index Report, compiled and released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, which ranks Ghana as the second most peaceful country in sub-Saharan Africa, after Mauritius, he said that such a positive global outlook identifies Ghana as a peaceful destination for sound investment. All Ghanaians, including the police and civilian citizens, should be encouraged by this assessment, he said.
He argued that while the government does its utmost to equip, resource and retool the police, it is important that discipline prevail throughout the service.
“This is a charge I give the acting Inspector General of Police and the entire police administration. Without discipline and effective supervision, winning public confidence and support to fight crime will be very problematic.
“The prevention and detection of crime are a shared responsibility between the police and the public, and mutual respect, confidence and support are required to achieve these goals,” President Akufo-Addo said.
The president urged the new cadet officers to step out as agents of change, as the training they have undergone should have instilled in them the values of commitment to discipline, duty, hard work and integrity.
“I am hopeful that you will bring to bear the knowledge you have acquired to project positively the image of the police service. Discharge your responsibilities professionally, and live above reproach,” the president said.
Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online
99.5 in Accra, 90.7 in Ho, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 89.5 in Tarkwa and 106.9 in Walewale
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand
