IGP appeals to political parties avoid violence

Accra, April 24, GNA - The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Nana Owusu- Nsiah, on Friday appealed to political parties that would be vying to occupy the seat of government to ensure decent, peaceful and violence-free electioneering campaigns to the 2004 Elections. He said, "I am hoping for a more mature, friendly and violence free political campaign by the various political parties in this year's election".

Nana Owusu Nsiah made the call at this year's annual WASSA get-together for the staff and students of the National Police Training School. He gave the assurance that the police would deal with any violent situation and to protect life and property during the elections. The IGP urged the police to stay out of partisan politics, saying that, "you have the right to vote for one political party or the other, but you must ensure that your loyalty to the State and the 1992 Constitution, which is paramount, remains intact."

He warned, "Anyone who disturbs the electoral process, must be treated as an enemy of the state, no matter his or her party affiliation." Nana Owusu-Nsiah said the Police Administration would support the police to enable them ensure peace and order during the 2004 Election but would not spare personnel who might misconduct themselves. He announced that the government has set up a committee to review the service conditions of police personnel, with the view to improving the Police Service, adding that President Kufuor had asked the body to work expeditiously on the matter.

Nana Owusu-Nsiah said: "As I speak now there is about 155,000 yards of material, berets and boots on the high seas due to arrive at the Tema Harbour by next month for the police and efforts are also underway to provide the police with four-wheel drives for out station assignments. The IGP said the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has awarded 1.8 billion cedis contract for the construction of block of classrooms at the Police Training School (NPTS) and that the project would be completed in three to four months.

Nana Owusu-Nsiah also announced that he has directed the Human Resource Development department of the Service to draft a proposal to guide the Ministry to construct the first police secondary school in the country.

Nana Owusu-Nsiah said it was part of a national programme by the Ministry and the Police Administration to build schools for children of police personnel in all the 10 regions. He said plans were also afoot to provide more dormitories and classrooms at the NPTS and the Ghana Police College (GPC), to allow for the intake of more recruits

Nana Owusu-Nsiah said the Police Administration had also decided to make the learning of French and Swimming compulsory to recruits and officers at the NPTS and the GPC, adding that the move is enable Ghanaian police officers in joint operations with their counterparts from the Francophone countries to communicate effectively. He said lessons in swimming would assist the police in rescue missions especially during water disasters and in sports.

Nana Owusu-Nsiah advised the police against anonymous letter writing as a way of addressing issues, saying that such acts tarnish the image of the Police Service.

He said, "This administration is opened to suggestions and I can assure you that you would never be victimized for any concern expressed or suggestion you make".

Nana Owusu-Nsiah also expressed concern about the slow pace at which artisans of the police service work, when contracts are given them internally.

He said: "We do not want to award all contracts within the service to outside labour, but that is what our artisans are tempting us to do, by their lackadaisical attitude to projects given to them."

Chief Superintendent Kwabena Gyamerah-Yeboah, Commanding Officer of the NPTS led the NPTS staff to enstool Nana Owusu-Nsiah as the chief of development of the school and he called for strategic partners to assist the school improve on its facilities.

Deserving staff of the NPTS who distinguished themselves in various capacities, were awarded with certificates of recognition and 200,000 cedis each.