The Prampram Wesley Methodist Basic School in the Greater Accra Region has established the first-ever Police Cadet Corps at the basic education level in the country.
According to the Headmistress of the school, Mrs Rita Arhin, members of the cadet corps were trained by the Tema command of the Ghana Police Service.
In a welcome address, she said when the school was seeking innovative ways of instilling discipline in the pupils, Madam Doris Dede Tetteh, a member of staff, suggested the establishment of the cadet corps.
She said the idea was welcomed by the then Headmistress, Mrs Comfort Hormeku, who contacted the District Police Commander, DSP Paul Mensah Bampoe, who readily accepted and single-handedly provided the cadets with 50 pieces of uniforms and caps.
Mrs Arhin commended ACP Habiba Twumasi-Sarpong, the National Commander of the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), who also showed special interest in the project, leading to the establishment and registering of the cadet corps in the school.
She said the formation of the cadet corps would help instill discipline in the students as well as shape and prepare them for a better future.
The Reviewing Officer of the inaugural parade, Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCOP) Mrs Beatrice Zakpa Vib-Sanziri, who is also the Tema Regional Police Commander, advised members of the cadet corps to apply the training offered them as it was the cornerstone for success in life.
She said the establishment of the police cadet corps in schools was one of the many efforts the Tema Regional Police Command was initiating to improve upon the relationship between the police and the public in matters of security.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ningo-Prampram, Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, said the formation of the cadet corps had provided the opportunity for the holistic development of the students and added that it would contribute to bringing up disciplined young people who were imbibed with qualities such as leadership, loyalty, devotion to duty, self-respect and civic responsibility.
He appealed to the security agencies to consider such young advocates during future enlistments into the various security services since they had exhibited commitment, learned the tenets of their services and showed their desire to serve in their youthful ages.
