Assembly criticises Obuasi police

Obuasi (Ashanti), 3 March -- The Obuasi District Police Command came under serious criticism at the second ordinary meeting of the Adansi West District Assembly yesterday when the assembly was informed that the police cannot undertake night patrols in the Obuasi township because of lack of personnel. This was during a discussion on a report submitted by its Justice and Security Sub-Committee which dealt with the increasing crime wave within Obuasi, especially at the Ashanti Goldfields Company. The sub-committee had suggested a number of measures including the intensification of night patrols by the police to check the activities of criminals. Mr A.A. Sambah, Assistant Superintendent of Police, who represented the District Police Commander, Mr A.R. Birikorang at the meeting, told the assembly that lack of men and accommodation has made it impossible for the police to embark on night patrols in the township. This information from the police officer invited criticism from the assembly members. They accused the Obuasi police that in spite of their claim of lack of personnel, they are able to mobilise men to conduct road checks daily in addition to undertaking debt collection in the township. Mr Sambah responding to the criticisms, told the assembly that the road checks are very special exercises being carried out by a special unit within the police. In an answer to a question from the presiding member, Mr Francis Adjei, the ASP insisted that the police could not undertake the night patrols for reasons already stated by him. This statement brought the two members of Parliament from the district, Mr A.B. Boadi-Mensah and Mr Akwasi Afrifa to their feet. They pointed out that the problems facing the police service are known nation-wide and therefore the Obuasi police could not use lack of men and accommodation as an excuse "to allow criminals to take over the communities". They therefore demanded that the police should begin night patrols with the few men available.