President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has lauded the leadership qualities of the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare in hugely improving the image of the police.
The Police Service, the stressed, “is gradually regaining the trust and confidence of the public, under the leadership of its new IGP”.
President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the improvement in the performance of the police when he delivered a statement on the State of the Nation (SONA) in Parliament on Wednesday, in accordance with Article 67 of the 1992 Constitution.
“Mr. Speaker, I believe we can all testify that our Police Service is undergoing a great improvement and a change of image before our very eyes. During times of anxiety, we need a responsive police service to boost the confidence of the population and it is good to see the police rise up to the challenge”, President Akufo-Addo reiterated.
According to him, nothing starts people off in a bad mood more than the driving habits and traffic jams that create chaos on our roads and make every road journey a nightmare.
“Gradually, the police are bringing order to the roads and we all now know that the law is no respecter of persons or vehicle types.
“I urge all of us to cooperate with the police to perform their duties to enable all of us go about our lives in peace. I am happy to state that Government has been able to provide much needed modern equipment for the Service, and we are tackling their accommodation needs as well”, President Akufo-Addo stated.
Accommodation for Police
President Akufo-Addo also announced that his administration is working hard to give personnel of the Ghana Police Service decent accommodation.
“We are constructing three hundred and twenty (320) housing units at the National Police Training School, which are at an advanced stage of completion.
“Work is also ongoing on the construction of a huge barracks complex at Kwabenya, to replace the one adjacent to the DVLA at 37, where the conditions of living are poor”, he announced.
Police morale
Morale of the Police, according to President Akufo-Addo, is expected to improve due to various interventions by his government.
“Mr. Speaker, together with the implementation of a number of operational and personnel welfare interventions, the morale of police officers has received a considerable boost, and, today, public-focused interventions, instituted by the IGP, have resulted in a better police-public relationship”, he added.
Welfare of military
President Akufo-Addo bemoaned longstanding accommodation challenges faced by the military and said something was being done to address the problem.
“The accommodation problems facing the military have long been matters of national sadness. I am glad to say that the first stage of the Military Housing Project, dubbed the Barracks Regeneration Project, has started with construction going on at all garrisons across the country.
“The Military Academy at Teshie is being modernized, and we are keeping our Armed Forces retooled and equipped to enable them live up to their duties. Each of the different branches of the Armed Forces – the Army, Navy and Airforce – has received significant financial assistance to upgrade its logistical bases, and strengthen its capabilities, and its welfare requirements are being substantially addressed.
“We are building modernised Armed Forces, with higher numbers of personnel, that will be fit to meet the demands of the 21st century”, President Akufo-Addo stressed.
Protection of borders
The President noted that the protection of Ghana’s borders puts extra burden on the military, especially since there is increased terrorist activity in the Region and instability in many of our neighbouring countries.
Accordingly, “Fifteen (15) Forward Operating Bases, or FOBs as they are called, are being constructed across the country to help in the prevention of cross border crimes and terrorist activity”.
