Interior Ministry working to build on 2019 first half achievements

The Ministry of Interior says it is working to ensure it improves internal security in the country to enable members of the public go about with their activities.

Speaking exclusively to the Ghana Report Tuesday afternoon on the mid-year performance review undertaken by the Interior Ministry and its agencies, Head of Public Affairs, Frank Siaw-Otoo, outlined a number of successes chalked by his outfit in making the country safe.

He emphasized the ministry, is bent on improving on the achievements in the first half of the year to make the country safer for all.

“We have achieved some successes in the first half of the year and despite the challenges, every organisation will want to put its best foot forward and that is what we are doing to make Ghana safer for all,” Mr. Siaw-Otoo remarked.

Even though he failed to outline some challenges facing the Interior Ministry and its Agencies, he assured they were collaborating with each other to ensure the country enjoyed continuous peace and stability.

Directors of the Ministry of the Interior, Service Commanders and Heads of Agencies last week met in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital for a two-day workshop to review the sector’s 2019 Mid-Year Performance.

The workshop, which had all Agencies and Directorates present was to afford  the  Ministry and it’s Agencies, the opportunity to reflect on their programmes and projects, financial commitments and outstanding commitments,  strategize on how to overcome the challenges encountered within the first half of the year (January to June 2019) and also discuss the way forward.

It was also to enable the sharing of ideas and experiences so as to mitigate the challenges that were encountered in the course of their duties during the first half of the year (2019).

Deputy Minister for the Interior, who doubled as the Chairman for the workshop reiterated the commitment of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to ensuring peace and security in the country which has been demonstrated by the supply of logistics and vehicles to the security Agencies to improve their performance.

He commended the Agencies for the successes chalked so far despite the challenges and appealed to the Agencies to work together.

“I wish to encourage the Agencies to work towards a common goal and this would involve sharing information amongst yourselves.” he said.

Mr. Quartey admonished the agencies to be mindful in the identification and implementation of their important activities to ensure value for money so as to reduce waste.

The workshop is in fulfilment of a statutory requirement expected of all Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to review their performances biannually and submit reports to the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).

Some key achievements by the various Agencies under the Interior Ministry within the first half of 2019 are as follows;

 

Ghana Police Service

the Service has successful migrated five police stations from analogue to digital system.

Also, public sensitization exercise on security alertness by the police service has been improved upon.

540 vehicles have been secured by the Police Service to improve its performance.

 

Ghana Prisons Service

The Ghana Prisons Service has commenced the construction of inmates’ dormitory in Ejura in the Ashanti Region. The construction of the Nsawam Remand Prison is also ongoing. 438 recruits passed out during the first half of the year and the remaining 562 are at the final stages of their training.

 

The Ghana National Fire Service

The letter of credit for the procurement of the Hydraulic Platform has been issued by the Bank of Ghana. The Service organised series of public education nationwide on fire management and prevention and also trained over 1,300 fire volunteers, while 398 recruits from the 2018 recruitment passed out. Intelligence gathering offices have been set up in all the Regions and 26 officers have been trained in intelligence gathering.

 

Ghana Immigration Service

Ghana Immigration Service has constructed a Drill Square at the GIS Academy. It has also constructed a 3-storey of 280 capacity Girls dormitory and 3-storey of 221 capacity hostel block for the Training School and the Academy respectively at Assin-Foso. The Service commissioned V-Satellites at the Headquarters, KIA, Aflao, Elubo and Paga, to enhance data transfers to Headquarters on timely, efficient uninterruptible manner. The Service commissioned a new state-of-the-art Training Centre and Equipment at the Documents Fraud Expertise Centre (DFEC).  Again, 737 recruits passed out on 23/1/2019 and 300 officers were commissioned on 29/4/2019.

 

Narcotics Control Board

Narcotics Control Board has worked effectively to ensure that its Bill is laid before Parliament. It is hopeful that the Bill would be passed before the end of the year. The Board also sensitized some District Assemblies and Communities on the effects of illicit drug 2019.

 

National Disaster Management Organisation

National Disaster Management Organisation provided support to4,332 Disaster Victims nationwide. It also Dredged/Desilted 136 Major Drains to reduce the impact of flooding. Additionally, 636 field trips and assessment were undertaken.

 

Gaming Commission of Ghana

Gaming Commission of Ghana has recruited twenty-four (24) new staff. The Commission in collaboration with EOCO undertook sensitization exercise on the negative effects of gaming on children in twenty-four (24) Basic and Junior High Schools within the Greater Accra region.

 

National Peace Council

The National Peace Council organised series of meetings with the political parties in Ghana following the Ayawaso West Wagon election issues and played a big role in influencing the passage of the Vigilantism Bill into Law.

 

National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons

The National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons has trained Twenty-Five (25) Personnel of the Ghana Police Service and the Commission on weapon marking and records keeping of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW). The Commission has also engaged Stakeholders including the Ghana Police Service, Statistical Service, KAIPTC, Customs Division of GRA and Civil Society Organizations on the way forward for data gathering on small arms related incidences.

 

Ghana Refugee Board

Ghana Refugee Board verified 1,196 refugees at Egyeikrom camp. The Board also conducted RSD interviews for 30 Asylum seekers in Urban Areas. It also recorded 46 new births on Refugee Camps.