Tema Police Identifies Flashpoints

The Tema Regional Police Command has disclosed that a total of 113 flashpoints have been identified in the region where security will be boosted before, during and after this year's general elections.

According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Paul Manly Awini, the Tema Regional Police Commander, a survey is still being conducted in some places to determine other flashpoints to help the command to effectively maintain law and order in the November 7 polls.

The Police in the last general elections identified a total of 62 flashpoints out of which Ashaiman constituency alone had 20 flashpoints, with Tema East and West constituencies recording 12 each.

The Ningo-Prampram, Ada, Shai-Osudoku and Kpone-Katamanso constituencies recorded eight, seven, two and one flashpoints respectively.

DCOP Paul Manly Awini made the disclosure during the inauguration of a 13-member Tema Regional Joint Election Security Taskforce on Tuesday.

The taskforce, which comprises members of all the state security agencies, Electoral Commission (EC), National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and Information Service Department is chaired by the Regional Commander of the police service, which is the lead agency in the election.

He explained that the mandate of the taskforce shall be to plan, organize, implement, monitor and coordinate activities of the security agencies to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.

He noted that security personnel would be deployed to the 113 flashpoints to ensure the smooth running of the elections.

According to him, his outfit would institute two operational rooms made up of regional elections security desk and regional media monitoring desk for gathering information and a investigation desk.

DCOP Awini called on leaders of the various political parties to advise their supporters to avoid provocative acts, which might mar the election, especially after the declaration of the results.

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He warned that the security taskforce would deal with any person or group of persons who would parade themselves as macho-men at any election center to cause commotion.

For his part, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea AFotey-Agbo, who was the special guest of honour, advised the security agencies not to be satisfied with the success chalked in the previous elections since the dynamics of every elections are completely different.

He reminded them that most elections are often characterized by some lawlessness, disorder and insecurity, urging the security services to take control of the security situation and provide the platform for successful elections.

From Vincent Kubi, Tema