Stop Attacks On Police – Nana Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed disgust at the increasing spate of attacks, some of which have led to the gruesome killing of police officers in the country.

He said the unlawful violent attacks have the tendency of impeding the war against crime.

“The recent attacks on police officers resulting in their deaths must no longer be allowed to continue,” he said last Friday at the commissioning of 143 cadet officers who graduated to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from the Police Academy.

He could not but condemned these violent attacks in no uncertain terms with an assurance to the Police Service and the general public that such criminal acts would not go unpunished.

“No one deserves to be killed in any criminal or extra judicial circumstance,” the President cautioned, adding that “personnel of the Police Service should not be seen as enemies but rather partners in the fight against crime.”

Even though he commended the police for acting promptly in such instances by arresting perpetrators, President Akufo-Addo, however, told the Inspector General of Police and his officers in the face that “the Ghanaian people also expect that such rapid arrests would also be carried out when the victims are ordinary citizens.”

He said, “Any police officer who breaks the law and abuses the freedoms and rights of any member of society must not be spared and should be made to face the full rigours of the law.”

“Ghanaians, especially the families of the missing Takoradi girls, are anxiously waiting for news on their whereabouts from the Police Service,” he added.

The President said government was sparing no effort to ensure that the security agencies, including the Police Service, were adequately resourced to make them efficient and effective to respond to the security challenges of the country.

“Despite budgetary constraints, the Akufo-Addo government has, in two and half years in office, provided 568 vehicles, including 15 operational buses to the service, a feat unprecedented in the history of the service,” he indicated.

Besides, the President said 320 housing units were being constructed at the National Police Training School to solve part of the accommodation problems. “Modern communication equipment and 4,500 fragmentation jackets have been procured and delivered to the service to protect officers and ensure effective policing,” he disclosed.

“Government has also secured three (3) helicopters for the service, with the construction of hangars at the National Police Training School almost nearing completion. I am happy to inform you that six (6) officers are currently undergoing training in South Africa to become pilots for the helicopters, and serve as the Air Wing of the Police Service,” he stated.

He, however, urged the police to exhibit professionalism at all times, saying “the citizenry can only have confidence in the Police Service when you are seen to be honest and prepared to enforce the law without fear or favour.”

The Commandant’s special award for organisation and leadership went to Ebenezer Kannor, while the Best in Command Drills went to Norbert Yaw Mordzinu, with the Marksman going to Peter Kwarteng and Theodora Ntiriwaa taking home the award for Best Cadet Officer.

Leocardia Sunrise Adikah emerged as the best in Social Sciences, with Theodora Ntiriwaa again emerging as the best in Police Subjects.

The awards for Best in Law Subjects went to Maxwell Oppong, while the Special award on Gender-Based Violence went to Ernest Agyekum, Sunrise Adikah and Caroline Afua Addo-Sunu.