Smart Policing In Ghana Using WhatsApp

The usage of Electronic Smart devices (Phones & Tablets ) is gradually increasing in Ghana. Take a walk along the streets and you will observe may people busily "playing' with one electronic device or the other. In cars, you will notice as soon as passengers get into a vehicle, most of them brings out their electronic smart device (Drivers not allowed) The two activities which users often undertake on these devices are text chatting and surfing the internet .

The Telcos in Ghana over the period have indicated that the rate at which their subscribers use Internet Data is on the rise. All these are at a result of the influx of these Smart Devices in the country. Obviously they must be happy if the trend keeps on.

One institution which can benefit from these growing trend is the Ghana Police Service (GPS) in their patrol activities to curb crime. I recently got the mobile number of the Ghana Police Patrol Team in my area. It was then i noticed the number has been registered with a smart device application called WhatsApp. At the moment, that device application is what most people look out for when buying a smart device. They want to know is WhatsApp can be installed on the device.

In a country where finding a house with a house number only is very difficult in times of emergency, such as calling the police or the fire service, its about time some of these tools are used to enable easy location . The WhatsApp application has a 'Share Location' function. This function can be used to let the Emergency services providers easily come to your rescue when necessary.

Example:

The mobile numbers of the Police Patrol Teams or Fire Service are made available to the public. They are then given Smart devices with WhatsApp installed. When someone is in distress, after they call the Police or the Fire service team, he or she with their smart device using WhatsApp , can share their location for the Police or Fire service easily attend to them. This will reduce the using food vendors , gate and house colours and trees as reference point to give direction.

The above can be achieved if the Telcos also provide good network service since this method works well if there is the availability of network. Also taxes placed on smart device importation should either reduced or removed in order for everyone to be able to buy . When these are done, the work of the Police would be easier and citizens would be safer

WHATSAPP GHANA POLICE