Change TMA Security Uniform Before Election 2016

File Photo

The current uniform being worn by TMA security guards in Tema is creating serious confusions among residents as a result of its semblance to that of Ghana Police Service.

This has worries among the police in Tema especially among the junior ranks who expressed worry about the challenges they face in distinguishing a police officer from TMA security guard.

Market women, taxi drivers, fishmongers and mechanics in the metropolis has since been complaining about the uniforms likeness to that of the police asking how could authorities allow that to happen.

Hither too this men employed by TMA ONLY to enforce metropolitan by -laws wore white Top and black down just like that of AMA in Accra and other metropolitans ,municipalities and districts security guards across the nation.

However, sources indicates that somewhere last year the TMA GURDS WHO CAME OUT after training in Accra came out with a uniform that is difficult for even police in tema who in some cases work closely with them to make the difference.

i am reliable informed that since the introduction of this police- like inform by TMA authority for its men there has been a constant exchange of words between traders and drivers on the other hand and the ‘something like police something like city guard’ on the other side.

Since Then drivers in Tema do not complaint but questions whether these TMA personnel in ‘police uniform’ are mandated to check their drivers license and other road traffic regulations as they are seen performing such duties that falls within the legal mandates of the police MTTD.

What is worrying is that, Apart from the color of the uniform similarity to that of Ghana police service the TMA guards also currently uses same chevrons used as ranks in the police service.

What i did not gather was whether the TMA city guards also referred to their ranks as Cpl. and Sgts. as in the Ghana Police Service.

I must be frank that it’s not the TMA security alone that could be pointed wearing such uniform that looks like that of the Ghana police. Some private security companies in TEMA such as the G4S and others use similar uniform that is difficult for residents to differentiate between theirs and that of the police.

My concern is that wearing a uniform that looks like any government security forces is a breach of the 1992 constitution.

I think that the continues usage of those uniforms by private security company may thwarts the constant effort of the police administration to make sure miscreant do not use such uniforms to commit crimes.

I believe that with the security concerns that arise during elections police must expedite actions at stopping these private security firms who were uniforms just like theirs.

The police must immediately redraw all such uniform that in color, style or appearance looks like any of the state security.

All efforts must be made at getting the security firms to send those uniforms to various police stations near their offices.

Meanwhile all private Security must comply with the private security act, which frowns on individuals, group or institution that puts on uniform similar to that of government security i.e. police army, customs, prison, and fire service.

I suggest authorities should make sure private securities conforms to the rules and revert to their prescribed uniform registered with The Ministry of the Interior so as to bring some sanity and ensure distinctive uniform for the police and the private security.

Let’s also check and control private security because some of their men do things above their mandates that may interferes with government security operations especially during and after election 2016.

David Fianko- Okyere
Marine Railways and Ports