Interior Ministry lauds emergency service call center systems as boost for maintenance of peace

The Ministry of Interior says effective sharing and dissemination of information among security agencies and emergency service providers will enhance national peace efforts.

Sector Minister, Mark Owen Woyongo, says timely exchange of vital information is critical to maintenance of peace.

His remark was contained in a speech read for him by Chief Director at the Ministry, Adelaide Anno-Kumi, at the inauguration of the emergency response call center system at Nkwantakese in the Ashanti Region.

The emergency call center comes with the 112 toll free numbers across all networks manned by emergency personnel stationed in Accra, Kumasi and Tamale.

The Ghana Investment fund for Electronic Communications, GIFEC, and the Ministry of Communications are collaborating in the initiative.

It followed the inauguration of a similar call center in Accra recently.

It is expected to provide a common telephone number for emergency response to disaster and other related situations.

Mr. Wayongo says the facility meets the aspiration of the Ministry for a unique communication medium to manage emergency services, especially, after the June 3 disaster in Accra.

While commending GIFEC and the Communications Ministry for the center, he underscored the importance of sharing of vital information shared among security agencies.

“Since June 3^rd when the fire and flood disaster hit some parts of Accra, it became very important to take steps to ensure a unique service and other critical communication system remains operational when disaster strikes.

The ministry’s current focus is to ensure its [security] agencies reach out to the public as much as possible so that it can gather relevant information that can provide early warning signals to prevent crime and avert disasters.

Receipt of vital information at the right time contributes to the maintenance of peace and security timely and expeditiously”. Mr. Wayongo emphasized.

Meanwhile, Administrator of GIFEC, Kwabena Owusu Acheampong, announced the fund will next year introduce a set of standard communication systems known as the TETRA Communication System project.

The new systems were developed by the European Telecommunications Standardization Institute that prescribes a common mobile radio communication infrastructure.

According to Mr. Owusu Acheampong, the project which has gained global use is will be deployed in emergency and critical situations especially to enhance public safety.