THIS past week, the DAILY GRAPHIC reported that crime rates in Ghana have gone down. While this is certainly something to be celebrated, this statistical decline cannot lull Ghana into the complacent assumption that crime will rapidly be eliminated.
TODAY appreciates all of the effort of law enforcement agencies to reduce and control crime; they have apparently found effective crime prevention strategies, actively making Ghana safer.
BRIEFING the press in Accra on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, the Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Frank Adu-Poku, said that the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions continue as centers of criminal activities, especially armed robbery.
THE DAILY GRAPHIC reported a 3% reduction of murders throughout the country from the period of January to September of 2009, an 8% reduction of robbery cases and a 10% reduction of narcotics cases involving cocaine, heroin and marijuana.
THE crime rate, however, has not decreased at a rapid enough rate to ensure that the downward trend will continue regardless. Though it is an impressive start, law enforcement agencies still have more than enough work to do.
THE violence over this past weekend in Bawku is all too much evidence of the progress that still must be made. At least three people were killed, two of whom were burned in the streets, and others injured.
IN response, at least 29 suspects have been screened for connections with the brutality.
WHILE it is encouraging to see that crime rates have decreased since last year, it is clear that there are still major situations that need to be addressed and resolved. Law enforcement agencies should take the confidence provided by the crime rate decrease to further push and develop their efforts to effectively stop and, more importantly, prevent crime.
IT should be hoped that these statistics are evidence of a steady downward trend, that next year will see an even bigger reduction in the crime rate.
GHANAIANS, however, cannot make assumptions. Instead, law enforcement agencies should be encouraged and aided to continue working diligently to see the crime rate decrease and disappear.
Originating at www.theghanaianjournal.com
Accra floods: 70 seized excavators to be deployed to NADMO for desilting — Munta...
Kasseh Market executives stop sale of food near toilet facility
Three arrested over theft of critical equipment at Komenda Sugar Factory
Nearly half of Ghanaians say military rule can be justified if governments fail ...
GWL resumes production at Barekese Water Treatment Plant after completion of rep...
Economic performance most powerful source of Mahama’s goodwill — IEA
Nyinahini SHS assault: Court strikes out case, urges reconciliation
Even traffic lights in front of police headquarters are being stolen — Roads Min...
One major cause of Ablekuma North rerun violence was lack of security coordinati...
BTU Council divided as Chairman rejects parliamentary mediation in VC dispute
