Ambrose Derry interacting his deputy
The Interior Minister, Ambrose Derry, has warned all police commanders across the country to maintain law and order and arrest members of vigilante groups.
According to the minister, police commanders who fail to do so would be dismissed or transferred.
The minister bemoaned the recent acts of vigilantism across the country and warned that the citizens would not be able to go about their normal business if the situation persists.
He made this known when he addressed the Central Regional Police Command during a familiarization tour of the Central Region.
The Interior Minister gave assurance that the promotion of police officers would not be delayed in the Ghana Police Service under the current Akufo-Addo administration.
The issue of promotions has been a major problem for the men in black over the years and this administration has taken note of it to correct the anomaly.
“We think that the personnel must be given their due and we are not going to renege on that. So we have done it and we are looking forward to make sure that it happens.”
“I have asked the IGP to work out a mechanism by which we would have an in-out system so that we do not lose out”.
Mr Dery mentioned that the Police Council was working to make sure the police discharge their duties in a secure environment, adding “And even when you get injured or God forbid, you pass on, there will be something for your dependants”.
He entreated the police to collaborate with the other security agencies to boost security in the country.
The Minister, who is on a working visit, also interacted with personnel of the various agencies under his ministry to learn at first-hand their challenges and how they could be tackled.
Mr Dery, who was accompanied by his deputy, Henry Quartey, first visited the Regional Coordinating Council where he informed the Central Regional Peace Council about his mission to the region.
At a durbar organized in his honour by police personnel in Cape Coast, the Minister noted that he was highly impressed with the performance of the police in the region.
The Central Regional Police Command COP David Nenyi Ampah Bennin said available statistics showed that the region recorded 20 robbery cases during the first quarter of the year, out of which 19 cases took place in Kasoa alone and one in Apam.
COP Ampah Bennin said 30 armed robbers were currently facing trial.
Touching on the recent defilement case at Assin Adadiantem, the Police Commander said one Kingsford Owusu, 16, alias Kwabena, who is involved in the case, has been arrested and put before court.
The tour also took the minister and his deputy to Ankaful Maximum Prison where the Regional Command of Prison DDP Cephas Martey complained about the inadequate feeding grant which stands at GHC1.80p a prisoner per day.
However, there is no congestion at the Ankaful Maximum Prison, he stressed.
The Minister also interacted with personnel of the Ghana Prisons Service, Ghana Immigration Service and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO).
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From Joseph Annan, Cape Coast.