‘Provide for security installations in new communities’
The Ghana Police Service has appealed to estate developers, towns and communities to factor security structures and installations in their survey and architectural works.
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“We often see estate developers busily acquiring lands and property for various developments and investments without considering security plans and programmes,” the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, ACP Timothy Yoosa Bonga, said.
Speaking at the handover of a GH¢500,000 police post at North Haatso in the Greater Accra Region, he noted that even at a time when communities were expanding at a fast pace, security was not factored into the planning of such areas, thereby creating wide security gabs for both the police and residents.
The police post, constructed by the North Haatso Residents Association, is the residents’ contribution to the Police Service’s effort to bring security to the doorstep of the people.
Police-residents ratio
Mr Bonga cited Teshie as an example of a community which had only one police station serving a population of over 30,000, and where construction of houses and other structures did not follow any laid-out plan.
He said criminals were taking undue advantage of the numerous security challenges and the absence of police permanent structures and presence to commit crimes.
Mr Bonga, appealed to the residents of the area not to abandon the police after handing over the structure to them, “but you have to support them. They have become part of you. Work together to be able to realise what we are all looking for”.
He encouraged communities to form neighbourhood watch committees because they had so far proven to be very effective in crime fighting.
Mr Bonga admonished the police officers posted to the place not to lord it over the people. “You are not here to lord it over the people. You are here to help them. Their interest must be paramount,” he said.
Commendation
In a speech read on his behalf, the Ga East Municipal Chief Executive, Mr John Kwao Sackey, commended members of the North Haatso Residents Association for providing a police post for the community.
The Member of Parliament for Dome/Kwabenya, Ms Adjoa Sarfo, pledged to assist to make the police post function efficiently. For a start, she pledged to furnish the police post and also donated GH¢2,000 to the association.