Gov't has not directed police to shoot and kill-Avoka

Kumasi, December 19, GNA - Mr. Cletus Avoka Minister of the Interior, has stated that the government has not instructed the police to shoot and kill as way of combating armed robbery in the country as is being speculated in some quarters.

He, however, emphasized that police personnel were at liberty to defend themselves when their lives and that of other innocent citizens are under threat from armed robbers and other criminals.

"The fact that they are security men does not mean they don't deserve to live and government will not expose them to unnecessary danger."

The Minister also hinted that Immigration officers at the country's border posts will be armed with small arms to defend themselves and others during their night patrols.

Mr. Cletus Avoka was speaking at a joint durbar of security service agencies in the Ashanti Region in Kumasi on Saturday.

The durbar formed part of the Minister's tour of security installations and units in the Ashanti region.

The Minister visited the Regional offices of the Ghana National Fire Service, Immigration Service, the Prisons Service, NADMO offices and the Regional Police Headquarters.

Mr. Avoka praised security agencies in the Ashanti Region, for their untiring efforts that has resulted in crime reduction in the region.

He said it was through sacrifices in the face of the numerous challenges that had made the agencies, especially Police Service able to combat crimes resulting in the relative peace being enjoyed by residents.

The Minister pointed out that the government was satisfied with their performance and asked them not to be complacent, especially during the yuletide.

Mr. Avoka charged the officers to be loyal to their superiors, government and the country as a whole in the course of their duty, adding that, even though they might not like their leaders, they should always bear in mind they are serving their country and not individuals and also "do unto others as they would want others to do unto them" when they become leaders.

"Don't think nobody has seen your work and continue your good work for the day of reckoning will come. Above all, work in unity, do it with faith, humility, simplicity, be fair but firm," he told the officers and men at the durbar.

He stressed that the visit was also to inspire them to work harder and advised them to have inter-agency relationship to get rid of crime which would serve as a legacy to their successors.

GNA