Over 500 vehicles provided to the police; 320 housing units being built – Akufo-Addo
President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says Government, in recognition of the difficulties and dangers confronting police personnel in the discharge of their duties, has provided over five hundred vehicles and other logistics, to enable the service deliver on its core mandate.
According to President Akufo-Addo, “despite budgetary constraints, the Akufo-Addo Government has, in two and half years in office, provided 568 vehicles, including 15 operational buses to the Service, a feat unprecedented in the history of the Service.”
With many more vehicles expected to arrive in the country in the next few months, the President noted that when he took office in January 2017, the Service had a total of 492 serviceable cars.
President Akufo-Addo made this known on Friday, 13th September, 2019, when he addressed the graduation ceremony of the 49th Cadet Officers Course of the Ghana Police Service.
Additionally, the President noted that 320 housing units are being constructed at National Police Training School to reduce the accommodation deficits of the Service.
“Modern communication equipment, and 4,500 fragmentation jackets have been procured and delivered to the Service to protect officers, and ensure effective policing,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo continued, “Government has also secured three (3) helicopters for the Service, with the construction of hangars at the National Police Training School almost nearing completion. I am happy to inform you that six (6) officers are currently undergoing training in South Africa to become pilots for the helicopters, and serve as the Air Wing of the Police Service.”
Twenty (20) horses, the President said, have also been procured to assist the Police in riot and crowd control, with a Canine (K9) Unit, made up of thirty (30) dogs, also in the offing.
Government, the President reiterated, is determined to help create a security service which is professional and efficient in the discharge of its duties.
“Promotions within the service have to be based on merit, and not on political affiliation. The political affiliations of serving officers should manifest themselves only in the polling booth on election day. Once they don the uniform, the population and I expect them to carry out their duties impartially, without any political coloration. That is the basis on which I have proceeded since I assumed office on 7th January, 2017,” he added.