Ghana Police poised to undertake duties profesionally during election 2012 – IGP
Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, Inspector General of Police, on Wednesday assured stakeholders, especially the political parties, electorate and the public that the Ghana Police Service is poised to undertake its duties professionally during Election 2012.
He therefore warned that the service would deal decisively with any person or group of persons who breached the law before, during, and after the general election.
The IGP said all commanders at the regional, divisional, district and unit levels are well-informed of their responsibilities, and have been directed to be conscious of their professional approach to law enforcement.
“The service would not discriminate against any person, or group. We would not be biased towards any political groupings. We would continue to display out neutrality. We would stay glued to our legally accepted position of being accountable to the law and the people of Ghana,” he added.
Mr Quaye gave the assurance when welcoming Minister of the Interior, Mr William K. Aboah to the Ghana Police Headquarters in Accra.
He said it was a important for the citizenry to realise that maintenance of peace and security was a shared responsibility hence, the active and constructive cooperation of stakeholders was paramount.
Mr Quaye noted that the police service had attached much seriousness and importance to the ongoing biometric registration exercise, which was one of the important, processes preceding the 2012 general election, adding that so far only a few unfortunate and avoidable incidents had been recorded.
He said the police service had instituted investigations into all the incidents, with some culprits imprisoned, others still pending before the courts and the rest being sought for to face the law.
Mr Quaye said despite the inexcusable incidents, the exercise had been generally successful so far from the security point of view, adding that he was confident that the remaining period would be devoid of any such incidents.
“Ghana is at peace with herself and we in the police service would do everything within our power to jealously and religiously protect this peace by effectively and efficiently discharging our duties under the Constitution without fear or favour,” he added.
The IGP called on the media to be circumspect in their reportage and feed the people with accurate and development-oriented information that would keep them focused as a country, especially as the elections got closer.
He appealed to the National Media Commission, Ghana Journalists Association, Independent Broadcasters Association, Editors Forum and other Civil Society Organisations to support the police service.
Mr Quaye appealed to Ghanaians to feel free and secure to undertake their socio-economic activities, since the police would professionally, ethically and democratically deal with any threat to the peace and security of the country that might arise.
Source: GNA