Ghana Police Signs Accord With British Metro Black Police Asso

A co-active accord has been reached between the leadership of the Metropolitan Black Police Association of the United Kingdom and the Ghana Police Service.

The accord aims at establishing a mutually supportive relationship with a view to researching, progressing and exchanging information on global education and networking, sharing of good practices of criminal justice and community issues.

The accord also envisages strategic and operational placement of resources, training and technology, identification and creating of a database of the Ghana Police Service and the Metropolitan Black Police Criminal Justice Practitioners.

Under the accord, the leadership of the Ghana Police Service and the Metropolitan Black Police Association will take all necessary steps to ensure that the two organisations endeavour to meet on an annual basis.

The accord was signed by Sir John Stephens, Commissioner of the London Metropolis, Mr. George Rhoden, Deputy Chairperson of the Metropolitan Black Police Association and Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK who signed on behalf of the Ghana Police.

Present at the ceremony were Mr. Leroy Logan, Chairman of the Metropolitan Black Police Association of the UK, Chief Superintendent Gurpal Virdi of the Metropolitan Police, Mr. Paul Charlton, Detective Constable of the Metropolitan Police, Mr. Keith Ashong, Detective Constable of the Belgravia Police and Nana Quagraine of the Dagenham Police Unit.

Others were Mr. A. K. Arthur, Minister, Head of Chancery, Mr. Peter Wiredu, Minister-Counsellor (Passport & Immigration) who is also an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Nana Ampem Darko Larbi I, Managing Director of Starline Shipping Company in the UK and Vice Chairman of the Five Pounds No Balance Appeal Fund Committee set up in March this year to solicit funds for the Ghana Police Force and some committee members including Ms. Susan Akomea, Messrs Kwame Twum Barimah and Noble Adjei Boakye.

At the ceremony, Police accoutrements were presented to the Ghana Police Service. These were 500 batons, 300 handcuffs with keys and 500 raincoats.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Rhoden hoped that the signing of the Memorandum of understanding would enhance relationship between the Metropolitan Black Police Association and the Ghana Police Service.

In his remarks, Sir Stephens described the new partnership as a practical constructive epoch making activity which will allow the Metropolitan Police to be seen to be assisting Police Services in other parts of the world.

He said policing was now a global business and hoped the new partnership would be strengthened to the mutual benefit of both parties.

He added that the Metropolitan Police was extremely delighted about the new partnership which had been forged with the Ghana Police and expressed the hope that the donated items would be put to good use.

In his remarks, Mr. Isaac Osei said the new partnership should further strengthen the existing bonds and cordial relations between Ghana and the United Kingdom.

He thanked the Metropolitan Black Police Association for the initiative and drive which had resulted in the signing of the memorandum of understanding and donation of police accoutrements to the Ghana Police.

Briefing the gathering on trends in Ghana since the NPP Administration took office, Mr. Osei said Ghana was setting a standard in democracy, rule of law, good governance and support for the private sector as the engine of growth in Africa through pragmatic policies and collaboration with his neighbouring countries.

He said as head of the Economic Community Of West African States, President Kufuor was trying feverishly to douse the fire of ethnic and religious conflicts in the West African sub-region to ensure peace and stability, a necessary condition for progress and development.