IGP urges assemblies, traditional authorities to support police

Chuchuliga (U/E), Nov. 9, GNA - The Police Administration has urged district assemblies, traditional authorities and communities to complement government's efforts in providing accommodation, police stations and other logistic support for the Police Service to enable it to discharge its duties effectively and efficiently.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Kwarteng Acheampong, made the call on Wednesday when he cut the sod for the commencement of a permanent office and accommodation project for the Police at Chuchuliga in the Builsa District of the Upper East Region. The one-acre land for the project was offered by the Chuchuliga Chief Naba Francis Asangalisah the second and the community. The project is to be funded by members of the community with support from the government.

The IGP, who is on a three-day familiarization tour of the Upper East Region, emphasized that government alone could not single-handedly provide police stations, accommodation and other logistics for the Police Service and appealed to district assemblies and traditional rulers for support.

He suggested that assemblies devoted part of their common fund for the building and renovation of police stations and for providing accommodation for police personnel in their districts to help maintain peace and security, saying that this was essential for promoting development.

In his welcome address, the Chief of Chuchuliga, Naba Asangalisah noted that the Police Service was responsible for the promotion of peace and security, which were key elements for development and therefore needed the necessary support to enable it to discharge its duties. He said it was in view of this that his community deemed it fit to construct a befitting office and residential accommodation for the Police in the area.

He, however, lamented the shortage of police personnel in the area and appealed to the IGP to dispatch more personnel to Chuchuliga. "There are only two officers stationed here, a Police Inspector and a Constable", he lamented.

At Chiana near Chuchuliga, the situation was no different. The Police Station and residential accommodation for the police personnel were in very deplorable state and could be described as death traps. The IGP gave the assurance that the police would soon be provided with decent accommodation and offices. He appealed to the chiefs to help find a decent rental accommodation for the police, while the dilapidated structures were renovated.

Accompanying the IGP were Assistant Commissioner of Police Patrick Tibilla, Chief Staff Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police David Eklu, Director of Public Affairs, Assistant Superintendent of Police Faustina Kadua, Executive Secretary to the IGP, and the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Mr Ofosu-Mensah Gyeabour.