Let’s contain the crime wave
Resident of some communities have, in recent times, been raising concerns over the security situation in the country.
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These concerns follow the spate of robberies and killings that have rocked some parts of the country. It must be stated, however, that the security agencies are doing their best to contain the situation, except that no matter how hard they try, the criminals find means to undermine the peace and security of the country.
Although it is difficult to establish the extent of the contract killings (so-called) and the robberies, the fear, alarm and panic that these attacks create can affect foreign direct investments (FDIs).
For quite two decades now Ghana has been touted as an oasis of peace and stability on a continent many of whose countries are involved in struggles to bring about peace, stability and democratic governance.
That is why all public-spirited people should be concerned about the attempts by certain miscreants to create fear and panic among the citizenry and thereby make our country unattractive for FDIs.
We must not forget that an emerging economy like ours creates room for criminal activities, unemployment and prostitution.
The attractions of an emerging economy also push those on the sidelines of society, particularly the excluded and the vulnerable, to become victims of the economic hardships. There are also a growing number of vehicles and motorbikes, some of them unlicensed, that are used to commit crimes.
The Daily Graphic does not understand why in our attempt to find solutions to the insecurity being created by the recent serial killings and robberies, the police are not clamping down on users of unlicensed vehicles and motorbikes.
We know that many of these robberies are committed by people riding motorbikes in our communities, especially in the night, but it is taking us a while to design measures to make such actions risky endeavours.
We do not think, however, that the situation has reached a head yet, as the security agencies can step up their operations to deal with the seeming insecurity. There is no way anybody can say that the insecurity situation is the creation of the media.
Many people are afraid to go about their legitimate businesses for fear of being attacked by criminals.
While we call on the police and other security agencies to step up their activities, we also ask individuals to take care of their personal security and make sure that they do not expose themselves, their homes and families to security risks.
The police should also sensitise all communities to establish community watch committees to police their immediate environs.
Recent incidents of attacks and robberies are scary but the security situation is not out of hand yet. What is required now is increased police-public collaboration to contain the crime wave.