I was born in Tel-Aviv, Israel, and lived with my parents in an apartment with many others in Mahaozet.
In the apartment building, we had police officers, soldiers and other security personnel living with us. There was absolute peace and order because we had neighbours who were security personnel. In Ghana, I don’t see security personnel living among the people. When I asked my dad why, his answer was that our policemen and soldiers live in barracks.
Why is that so? With this policy, how can crime be prevented?
If a policeman or an Army officer lives in the same neighbourhood with other residents, can a man beat his wife or a woman molest a house help? I doubt if a man would rape a minor in that house or an armed robber would be courageous enough to try to rob others in that neighbourhood.
Keeping these officers in the barracks, at the expense of the state, is not the best because we need their presence among us to make us feel safe in all communities.
In Ghana, where conflicts sometimes turn violent, I think if security personnel live among the citizens, they will easily pick up early signals and prevent such conflicts from becoming serious.
Building barracks for security personnel or other government employees is not the best.
I think an emergency force could be maintained in the barracks on a rotational basis, so that some security personnel are always available when they are needed.
