President Akufo-Addo backs IGP Dr Dampare’s  reforms

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has assured the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, of Government’s unflinching support for the measures the IGP is implementing to help build the Police Service Ghanaians want.

According to the President, “We can all testify that, under your leadership, our Police Service is undergoing a great improvement and a change of image before our very eyes. Gradually, the Police have brought order to the roads, and we all now know that the law is no respecter of persons or vehicle types.”

He stated that “we want this to continue, and you should always remember that you have the support of the President of the Republic in the conduct of your important duties.”

President Akufo-Addo  gave the assurance  when he presented 100 pick-up vehicles,  600 motorbikes, and six armoured personnel carriers the Ghana Police Service.

The vehicles are to be used by the Formed Police Units (FPUs) in all regions of the country.

He told the gathering at the Police Headquarters that he was aware of the several innovative measures deployed by the Police Administration to help improve security across the country.

The President noted that the specialised anti-robbery taskforces, spread across what used to be crime hotspots, have been very successful in reducing significantly violent crimes.

“We are all witnesses to the increase in police visibility, which has contributed to improved police response time. Instilling discipline on our roads is one other area the police has made a lot of gains. Through the Police Action Against Rider Indiscipline (Operation PAARI) and The Police Invisible Eye (TIPE) Programme, we now see that most motorbike riders stop at traffic lights for their own safety and the safety of other road users,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo continued, “Indeed, the incidents of abuse of sirens have greatly reduced, especially within Accra. The good news is that, through these road safety-targeted interventions, for the first time in a long time, our nation has recorded a twenty percent (20%) decrease in the number of persons killed through road accidents and crashes.”

This, he said, was highly commendable, adding that “I know we can do even more.”

He thus, appealed to motorbike riders, “especially, and to all other road users, to obey traffic regulations at all times. Ghana needs all of her citizens to help move her forward.”

According to the President, the presentation of these equipment, “are evidence, if any were needed, of Government’s commitment to the continuous retooling of the Police, a responsibility my government takes very seriously.

“It is borne out of the fact that the Police plays a critical role in the development of our country, hence the need to ensure that the Police Service is adequately resourced to discharge its duties for the safety and security of all of us, as well as for the growth of economic activity.”

“Until recently, the FPU was only stationed in Accra. However, through support from government, the Unit was extended to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, and is and now being formed in all the other regions,” President Akufo-Addo said.

He continued, “All regions across the country are soon going to benefit from the services of this specialised unit. These Regional FPUs will be spread across 140 bases in various communities in all the regions. Without any doubt, their presence will enhance greatly security, law and order in the country.”

President Akufo-Addo urged the officers, men and women from the FPUs to undertake their duties with utmost professionalism, adding that “Show love and civility to the communities you will be in, but, at the same time, do your work without fear or favour. Always remember that you are accountable to the good people of Ghana.”

The President acknowledged the numerous renovations and changes that have been carried out on the frontage and the immediate surroundings of the Police Headquarters – the reconstruction of the walls around the headquarters, the remodelling of the gates and the renovation of the CID building.

“The landscaping around the entire building and on your premises will not go unnoticed. I dare say, if we were to rank all public buildings now, the Police Headquarters will most likely emerge as one of the best in terms of the appearance of the surroundings. I must say when an environment looks this beautiful and put together, it creates a sense of orderliness and discipline in the minds of its patrons. I commend the leadership of the Service for embarking on this renovation and facelift project,” he added.