President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has handed over 100 pick-up vehicles, 600 motorbikes and six Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles to the Ghana Police Service.
The 100 pick-up vehicles, 600 motorbikes and 6 APC vehicles are to be used by the Formed Police Units (FPUs) in all regions of the country.
At the handing-over ceremony at the forecourt of the Police Headquarters on Tuesday, President Akufo-Addo said this equipment presented “is evidence, if any were needed, of the government’s commitment to the continuous retooling of the Police.”
A commitment and responsibility, the President indicated, his government take very seriously, borne out of the fact that the Police Service plays a critical role in the development of the country, hence the need to adequately resource it to discharge its duties of ensuring the protection and safeguarding of Ghanaians.
Until recently, the FPU was only stationed in Accra. However, through the government’s support, the Unit has been extended to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and is currently being formed in all the other regions of the country.
All regions across the country, according to the President, would soon benefit from the services of this specialised unit, spread across 140 bases in various communities in all the regions to enhance security, law and order in the country.
President Akufo-Addo urged the officers, men and women from the FPUs to undertake their duties with the utmost professionalism, adding: “Show love and civility to the communities you will be in, but, at the same time, do your work without fear or favour.
He warned that the Police should always remember that “you are accountable to the good people of Ghana.
The President hailed the renovations and changes that had taken place at the frontage and the immediate surroundings of the Police Headquarters – the reconstruction of the walls around the headquarters, the remodelling of the gates and the renovation of the CID building.
“The landscaping around the entire building and on your premises will not go unnoticed. I dare say, if we were to rank all public buildings now, the Police Headquarters will most likely emerge as one of the best in terms of the appearance of the surroundings.”
President Akufo-Addo said, “when an environment looks this beautiful and put together, it creates a sense of orderliness and discipline in the minds of its patrons.”
“I commend the leadership of the Service for embarking on this renovation and facelift project,” he added.
Rex Mainoo Yeboah, ISD
