Recent spate of armed robberies totally unacceptable – Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday said the recent spate of armed robberies is totally unacceptable; “I will work to ensure that citizens are able to go about their daily duties in the confidence that they are safe.
“As your President, this is an obligation I accept, and I am determined to discharge faithfully. The first obligation on any government is to ensure the safety and security of the citizenry.
“No miscreant will have the space to terrorize citizens, and generate a sense of insecurity in our country. The Police have the primary responsibility of maintaining peace and keeping law and order in our society, and, in exceptional cases, with the backing of the armed forces”.
President Akufo-Addo, who was addressing the nation at the 61st Independence Day commemoration in Accra, assured Ghanaians that “the government is doing, and will do whatever it takes to enable the Police to discharge their duties effectively.
“We are providing the means for them to modernize their equipment, and learn modern methods of policing, and their numbers will be rapidly increased to match our growing population, and the sophistication and audacity of the criminals.
“We should not forget that the Police need the help and support of the community to be able to do their work. We dare not lose our reputation as a haven of peace and security. I urge you all to join in making sure there is no hiding place in our midst for those who would disturb our peace”.
President Akufo-Addo noted “I will do whatever is necessary, within the confines of the Constitution and the laws of the land, to ensure the peace of our country. Let us, on this joyous occasion, salute the leadership and the gallant men and women of our security forces, who, in the various Operations, Calm Life, Cow Leg, and Vanguard, are putting their lives on the line to protect our environment, and guarantee our safety and security. They are patriots, indeed”.
The 61st Independence Anniversary Parade, was reviewed by President Akufo-Addo accompanied by his two aide de camps; the Chief of the Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Obed Boamah Akwa, and the Inspector General of Police Mr David Asante-Appeatu.
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria was the special guest of honour at the event.
Other high profile dignitaries, who graced the occasion include the first Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo; Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and his wife Samira; the Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo; former President John Agyekum Kufuor; former President Jerry John Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings and former Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur.
The rest are; Senior Minister, Mr Yaw Osafo Maafo; Mr Ivor Kobina Greenstreet, Convention People’s Party Elections 2016 Presidential Candidate; Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim, CPP first Vice Chairperson; Mr Bernard Mornah, Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC); and Dr Nii Allotey Brew Hammond, the National Chairman of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP).
Others are Ministers of States, Parliamentarians, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic community, religious leaders and Ghanaians from all walks of life.
Fifty-nine Officers mounted the Parade from the security forces with 1,134 men and women from the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Prison Service, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana National Fire Service and the Custom Division of the Ghana Internal Revenue Service.
Participating in the Parade also were 758 teachers, students, and pupils drawn from Basic and Senior High Schools in the Greater Accra Region.
The Mass Band was composed of men and women from the Ghana Armed Forces and the Ghana Police Bands.
Source: GNA