Marine Police Unit re-launched in Takoradi

The Marine Police, formerly called the Water Police, disbanded in 1942 under the Colonial Administration, has been re-launched by Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur in Takoradi.

The Vice President, who is also the Chairman of the Ghana Police Council, flew from an official assignment in Lome, Togo, to attend the programme.

He called on the Marine Police of the Ghana Police Service to collaborate effectively with the Ghana Navy in their surveillance duties to protect Ghana's waters from criminal elements.

The need for protection and surveillance, he said, had become even more serious with the discovery and exploitation of oil.

Illegal activities like transfer and traffic in arms and illicit drugs, testing of hydrocarbon in the marines, and the Ghanaians seas becoming a major trade route, as well as potential threats to the nation's vegetation resources warrant a constant eye on the nation's waters.

“The nation must pay particular attention to maritime security; we need the collective efforts of our security agencies,” Vice President Amissah-Arthur said.

The Vice President also called on the Ghana Police Service to enhance their maintenance culture generally, and especially of the vessels to be used in the operation to make them last longer.

He assured the Ghana Police Service of Government's support to equip them for more efficient and effective delivery of their services.

The journey of the rebirth of the Marine Police Unit began in the second quarter of 2011 in line with the exigencies of the service and in fulfilment of the Security Master Plan for the Oil and Gas in Ghana.

The Plan is mandated to perform the traditional role of policing by enforcing law and order, protecting and safeguarding inshore and offshore waters of the country and the oil and gas industry.

Sixty five police personnel, including four senior officers and five ladies, were selected out of 200 personnel. They have trained boat skippers, intelligence officers, swimmers and rescue swimmers.

According to Mr David Asante-Apeatu, Director General of Research and Planning and ICT, they were also taken through such courses as Integrated Fisheries and Governance, Maritime Illicit Trafficking and Site Exploration and Gulf of Guinea Maritime Security.

Mrs Matilda Nana Manye Amissah-Arthur, Wife of the Vice President, did the symbolic launching.

The Rt. Rev. Col. John Kwamina Otoo (Rtd), Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Sekondi, consecrated the vessels.