The Director-General of the Private Security Operations Directorate(PSOD) of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Edward Tabiri has observed the emergence of the Private Security Industry onto the country's mainstream security landscape has massively complement the efforts of the police service to deliver on its core mandate of protecting lives and property in Ghana.

While describing the move as 'refreshing', he explained, "Police cannot be everywhere all the time, so it comes as a relief that Private Security Organizations take care of security at most private homes and businesses".

DCOP Tabiri made this observation known in a speech delivered at the launch of the first Ghana Private Security Organizations, Fire and Safety Exhibition and Excellence Awards held on Friday July 20, 2018 at the Coconut Grove Hotel in Accra.

The event was organized by the Association of Ghana Private Security Organizations(APSOG) in partnership with OFOBOD Expositions, a licensed security events organizers in the country.

The awards dubbed the "Ghana Private Security Expo, Fire and Safety Excellence Awards" is the first ever awards scheme that seeks to honour deserving private private security organizations, institutions, state security agencies including the fire fighting services as well as members of the general public whose efforts in one way or the other has contributed positively towards enhancing the security of the country.

The categories outlined for the awards are: Fire and Safety Technology Company of the Year, Fire and Safety Insurance Company of the Year, Security Printing Company of the Year, Security Consultancy Company of the Year, Oil and Gas Company of the Year. Others include Diplomatic Mission Security Company of the Year and Cash In Transit, Good Dispatch and Delivery Company of the Year.

The 1st ever Expo of the Private Security Organizations(PSO) in the country would witness a blend of exhibition and seminars slated for 18th to 20th October, 2018 at the Aviation Social Centre. It will be climaxed by the awards night which falls on October 27, 2018 at the plush Coconut Regency Grove Hotel in Accra.

According to the event organizers, it occasion would serve as an avenue where finest industry professionals and experts will converge to give lectures, presentations and lead round table discussions to help participants develop and build new skills for a greater leadership role in private security provision in Ghana.

Speaking at the launch, DCOP Tabiri maintained the Private Security Industry (PSI) in the country has the potential to wipe off the deficit in Police Population Ration which currently remains a challenge, adding, "not in all spheres of policing but areas relating to provision of guard and escort duties if it is properly streamlined"

He lamented the vile attitude of most PSOs in the country who either operates without license or contrary to the provisions of the Private Security Organizations Regulations, 1992 (LI 1571) of the Police Service which seeks to regulate the activities of private security organizations in the country.

He averred, "this unhealthy situation has the potential to endanger the security of individuals and of our country if not checked".

The Police Administration in February 2017, established the Private Security Industry Operations Directorate(PSOD) to collaborate with the Ministry of the Interior(MOI) and all other stakeholders to bring the needed sanity into the Private Security Industry.

For his part, Security Consultant at Ofobod Exposition, Dr Kwesi Biney noted the 1st edition of the Ghana Private Security Expo, Fire and Safety Excellence Awards promises to be very impressive and exciting one considering the journey of private security industry in Ghana.

He assured the public of a thrill of events which will bring on board hosts of opinion leaders, experts and professionals from the Ghanaian Security industry whose contributions to discussions would offer solution to numerous security challenges the country is faced with.

Mr. Oscar Ofori Boadu, the Interim National Organizer of Private Security Organizers(PSOs) in the country in an interview urges the public to purge their minds off the negative perception which portrays the Private Security Industry as a 'watchman business"

He indicated that the decision to launch the award was part of measures to correct such erroneous perceptions which seeks to lower the image and standards of the noble profession before the public eye as 'watchman business'.

He added the awards also seeks to reward deserving private security organizations in the country who excelled in their field of work over the years as well as promote the image of the PSOs in the country

According to him the event would also serve as an avenue for all Private Security Organizations in the country to exhibit their products and services to the whole nation as well as a bigger platform to network.

He called on all and sundry to visit the event website (www.gpsexpo.org) and nominate deserving companies to win the various categories of awards at stake, adding a special judges panel have been formed to effect the selection of meritorious public security organizations in the country to pick up the awards.