Source: newsthemegh.com
The Interior Minister, Mr. Henry Quartey, has issued a warning to the public, particularly social media commentators, to refrain from making provocative remarks in the run-up to the December elections or face retaliation from the police.
On Monday, on a business visit to the Ghana Police Service Headquarters in Accra, Mr. Quartey issued the warning.
He praised the Police for their professionalism, discipline, and visibility, all of which have significantly lowered Ghana’s crime rate.
Security agencies, according to the minister, will guarantee a free, fair, and transparent election process rather than meddle in the 2024 general election.
He said that the government would keep providing the police with the equipment they need to carry out their responsibilities in a professional manner throughout the elections.
According to Mr. Quartey, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is still dedicated to providing the Police with sufficient manpower and support.
According to him, there were about 33,213 police officers on staff as of 2016, but by 2023, that number had risen to 46,116.
As a result, the Police Service had added roughly 12,903 new employees.
“Your statements and actions should not incite the public. You are entitled to free speech, free association, free movement, but we must be guarded by our statements not to create fear and panic.”
“This is not to victimize anybody but to follow the law to the latter. Social media commentators who find it very comfortable to threaten people and send all manner of statements to create fear and panic, we will look for you and let the court of competent jurisdiction take its course,” he cautioned.
According to the Minister, more than 2,500 employees based in Accra and Kumasi have received training in high-risk operations to prepare them for handling crucial operational circumstances.
He claimed that in order to fight crime in the nation, the government had supplied enough weapons and ammo, including actual armored personnel vehicles.
Additionally, housing units for the Police were commissioned in Tesano (320 units) and Kwabenya (504 units).
Mr. Ambrose Dery, the former interior minister, was praised by Mr. Quartey for his excellent performance.
“Today, the Police can boast of 1,854 vehicles, 3,954 motorbikes and since Ghana’s Independence, it is unprecedented that the Police Service now has helicopters.”
“Pilots were sent to South Africa to be trained and a hanger has also been built to house the aircrafts,” he said.
“I have not come to stop whatever has been done but to continue from where he left off, to identify where we need to improve and be innovative together with the POMAB and Police Council.”
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare thanked the Minister on his appointment as the sector minister and that it was a humble experience to see him.
He gave him their unwavering assurance that they would work to keep Ghana calm.
Dr. Dampare expressed his gratitude to the President for his support of the Police Service since assuming office and transforming the organization’s operations.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude to Mr. Abrose Dery and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for their dedication and support of the Police Council.
The IGP praised police officers for their sacrifices and expressed gratitude to Ghanaians for their compassion, unwavering support, and helpful critique.