Veep commends police for dedicated service
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has commended the personnel of the Ghana Police Service for their dedication and service to the country over the years.
“Our gallant officers and men of the Police Service working in collaboration with the other security agencies on daily basis put their lives on the line to ensure that our streets, communities and homes are safe and individuals and groups can undertake their socio-economic activities without any fear of crime,” he added.
The Vice President gave the commendation when he commissioned an ultra-modern shop for the Ghana Police Service at its National Police Headquarters in Accra.
The facility is dedicated to officers of the security services to purchase additional uniform items beyond what their respective institutions provide them.
It also has in stock uniform items of all ranks including office wear, operational wear as well as ceremonial wear and souvenirs for officers who travel on international assignments, exclusive Ghana Police Service souvenirs.
In attendance were the Interior Minister, Mr Henry Quartey; Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, members of the Police Council, Police Management Board members, senior police officers, retired officers and traditional rulers, among others.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Bawumia stressed the need to ensure that officers always turn out smart in their uniforms and also have additional logistics to deliver on their mandate.
“In the case of the Ghana Police Service, the provision of uniform items from a shop belonging to the Police Service will greatly reinforce the determination for uniform uniformity embarked on by the Police Administration,” he added
The Vice President stated that officers and men of the service would be able to acquire needed supplies to suit their preferences.
“I am further informed that uniform items can be acquired under the Police Welfare Scheme, this means that payment for items can be made over a period and deducted at source,” he added.
He said the shop had an online presence to make it possible for officers outside Accra to purchase items and have it delivered to them anywhere in the country.
The Vice President said the operationalisation of the shop would not by any means replace the government’s obligation of providing uniform and other accoutrements to the Police Service as by law requires, but the shop was intended to complement the government’s efforts.
The Vice President said over the past seven years, government has consistently provided the needed logistical support to the Police Service to enhance its operational efficiency.
“Vehicles have been provided in their hundreds, thousands of motorbikes, protective equipment among several other logistical support have been extended to the service,” he added.
Dr Bawumia said the Police Service in the past three years received clearance from the government to recruit over 7,000 personnel to augment its strength; and the result of this significant manpower increase was there for all to see.
He urged the security agencies to ensure peace and stability during and after this year’s elections.
Mr Henry Quartey urged the Police Service and other state security intelligence agencies to ensure peace during and after the elections.
He cautioned the public to desist from using social media to incite violence.
Mr Quartey said anybody who violated such law would be arrested and prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others
BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI
