Interior Minister says lack of equipment undermining operations

The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu on Wednesday said institutions under the ministry could not work effectively due to the lack of equipment.

Institutions under the Ministry are: Police, Prison Service, Ghana National Fire Service, Immigration Service, Narcotic Control Board and National Disaster Management Organisation.

He said as the ministry responsible for maintaining law and order, certain logistics such as communication gadgets and vehicles must be within its reach.

The Minister said this when he granted audience to Mr Majid Bizmark, Iranian Ambassador, in his office in Accra.

Alhaji Yakubu said, "Without law and order efforts by the government will come to naught."

Alhaji Yakubu said as the population of Ghana increased greater responsibilities would fall on the institutions under the ministry. For example, with a population of nearly 20 million the country has about 16,000 Police personnel. The ratio works up to one Policeman to 1,250 people.

He appealed to Iran to help improve institutions under the ministry to enable them to deliver quality service.

The Minister praised Iran for its contributions in the areas of health, education and agriculture.

Mr Bizmark called for a joint economic commission to spell out areas of co-operation between Ghana and Iran.

He appealed to the Ghana government to re-open its embassy in Tehran and Alhaji Alhassan responded by saying: "We are considering it, taking into consideration the country's resources."