Chamber of Mines donates GHC140,000 to police

The Ghana Chamber of Mines has presented GH¢140,000 to the Ghana Police Service to support its transformation agenda.

The Police Transformation Agenda, which was launched a year ago, is based on five key thematic areas- welfare and professional development of officers, community policing, revamping of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), monitoring of international affairs by strengthening police Intelligence and Professional Standards Bureau (PIPS) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The chairman of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, Eric Asubonteng, who presented the cheque to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) David Asante-Apeatu last Friday, said the Chamber has had good relations with the police over the years and would continue to work with them.

“When we received the request from the transformation agenda team to transform the police service, the members met and responded appropriately.

He said the police have provided security for members of the Chamber for the past 90 years, saying “since we will be celebrating our anniversary come September, this year, we deemed it fit to support our partners.”

He disclosed that the mining industry has over the years been contributing to the country’s economy, adding that its contribution stands at 16.3%, the highest to Ghana’s economy.

“We also contribute 43% of the total mechanize export that the country generates and provide employment for about 1.6% of the total labour force, which is direct employment and 15% indirect employment.”

He reiterated their commitment to supporting the police service.

Mr Asante-Apeatu, who received the cheque, told Mr Asubonteng and his entourage that the transformation agenda is to make the police service world-class to deliver planned, democratic, protective and peaceful services to meet international standards.

He said: “If you are going to help us develop them to become professionals, it’s in the right direction, since the junior officers are always on the ground working, and they represent the service to the ordinary Ghanaian.”

He averred that as personnel on the frontline, there is the need to develop their careers professionally.

Mr Asante-Apeatu revealed that the administration recently inaugurated the Police Private Sector Advisory Board, which will bring corporate experts together to deliberate on how the police can raise funds to improve service delivery.

Present at the function were Sulemanu Koney, CEO of Chamber of Mines, George Anyema, Committee Chairperson on security and Ahmed D. Nantogmah, Director, External Relations of the Chamber of Mines and Collins Mines, as well as members of the Police Management Board and the Transformation Agenda Team.