Police not recruiting personnel for Election - IGP

Sunyani (B/A), Oct. 11, GNA - The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Nana Owusu Nsiah on Monday refuted a publication in an Accra newspaper, that special Police personnel were being recruited to be on duty during the December Presidential and Parliamentary polls. He cautioned the media to refrain from unnecessary speculations especially at the time when Ghanaians were expecting the success of Election 2004.

The IGP was speaking at a meeting with Police personnel, representatives of some of the political parties and Journalists at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Nana Nsiah explained that the Police Administration had been mandated to recruit 2,000 personnel solely to be in charge of what he described as Very Very Important Personalities (VVIP).

He said the personnel would protect Ministers of State and high-ranking officials in the Judicial Service, Civil Service and other state Organisations.

The IGP asked the media to help educate the electorate on the Public Order Act.

He advised the Police, to be impartial in the discharge of their duties.

"We serve the Government of the day and we should... give protection to everyone."

Nana Nsiah reminded leaders of political parties to educate their members on the code of ethics governing the political parties. Nana Amba Eyiaba, Member of the Electoral Commission, responsible for Brong Ahafo, appealed to all stakeholders to ensure peaceful elections.

The out-going Regional Police Commander, Mr Akrofi Asiedu announced amidst applause that the majority of the Police personnel in the Region were disciplined. Representatives from New Patriotic Party; National Democratic Congress, Democratic People's Party and the People's National Congress, were present at the meeting.