Women's groups commend Police Service

A number of women's groups have commended the Ghana Police Service for the breakthrough in arresting a suspected serial killer of women.

The women made the commendation at a meeting with the Interior Minister, Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ernest Owusu-Poku, the National Security Adviser Lt. General Joshua Hamidu and other security chiefs in Accra.

The Minister for Women's Affairs Gladys Asmah (in pic) who led the women, said the arrest of the suspect is an indication that progress has been made but added that more will have to be done to arrest the rest involved in the murder of the other 22 or more women. '' We believe that the suspect has accomplices and you must put in more effort to arrest these killers.''

She said the culprits must be brought to justice, ''for us women to feel safe in our country.'' She mentioned other negative things done against women such as the display and sale of pornographic materials at the news-stands that portray women as sex objects and called for a halt to it.

Mrs Asmah said her ministry is liasing with the Attorney General's Department to introduce a form of censorship on films. She urged the police to clamp down on child trafficking and child prostitution, which she said could undermine the effort to boost tourism.

Alhaji Yakubu said the recognition accorded the police by the women is a reflection of the positive change the President promised Ghanaians. ''The president alone cannot impact positive change but good leadership brings out the potential in people to strive to achieve good results.'' He said for an institution to function well "you do not only provide for its needs but also recognise its ability to live up to expectations.''

He said even though the police have been in the forefront of the effort to unravel the mystery of the murders the collaborative role of other national security institutions must be acknowledged. Alhaji Yakubu said the Police have been working through very trying times with mandatory logistics like transport and communication equipment hardly available. '' Nevertheless they have been working at their maximum best. But they can't work in a vacuum. They need the public to assist.''

General Hamidu asked the women to co-operate with the police in fighting crime. ''It is important that we fight crime together. Many nations have fallen apart because people refused to be each other's keeper.'' Mr Owusu-Poku said the police are determined to work in spite of the numerous constraints and thanked the women for showing appreciation.