Train social service workers in disaster prevention, management - IGP

Accra, Sept. 12, GNA - The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Patrick Kwateng Acheampong, on Monday said it was necessary for personnel of the social services to have training in disaster prevention and management.

He explained that the frequent occurrence of disasters made them no longer isolated incidents and it was therefore imperative to train more people in the social services, apart from the police, military and allied services to equip them on how to prevent and manage disasters.

Mr. Acheampong made the point in Accra when the British High Commissioner in Accra, Mr Gordon Wetherell called on him in his office at the Police Headquarters.

During the visit, four senior officers of the Ghana Police Service who underwent courses in International Strategic Leadership and International Disaster Management in the United Kingdom (UK) were presented with certificates.

The four officers are Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ofosu Mensah Gyeabour and Chief Superintendent Bright Oduro, who went for the International Strategic Leadership Programme at Bramshill Police Staff College, and ACP Jonathan Yakubu, Deputy Greater Accra Regional Police Commander and Chief Superintendent Alphonse Adu Amankwa, who went for the International Disaster Management Programme at Cransfield University.

Mr Acheampng explained that such courses would also equip the social services with the theory and practices of disaster simulation exercises, to prepare them psychologically to manage disaster situations.

The IGP praised good relations among the Governments of the UK and Ghana, and the Ghana Police Service that had resulted in the training and the capacity and human resource development of personnel of the Service, dating back three decades.

He said though the training programmes suffered a hitch in the early 1980s, it was revived through the instrumentality of the British High Commission and expressed gratitude to the current High Commissioner for his role in reviving the training programmes.

Mr Acheampong announced that two other police officers would soon leave for the UK to undertake other police-related courses, which would qualify them for master's programmes.

"We are also trying to arrange some short courses for officers of the Domestics Violence Unit," Mr Acheampong said.

The High Commissioner said his outfit was happy to be involved in the fine relationship with Ghana, and the co-operative approach in disaster management.

He praised the security services for their role in maintaining peace saying this made Ghana a safe haven for business and development. "This is a really peaceful country," Mr Wetherell said.

ACP Gyeabour said they would put their newly acquired expertise and experience at the disposal of their colleagues to enhance police operations.