Minister blames Mahama for challenges facing policemen in Ghana

A deputy minister of Information, Pius Enam Hadzide, has revealed that the Akufo-Add-led administration inherited a police service that was under resourced.

According to him, the Mahama-led administration failed to provide the necessary equipment for police officers.

He added that the police service has been unable to organize retraining for its officers for a very long time.

Hadidze’s claims were in reaction to comments by the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Sammy Gyamfi, to the effect that the current government only pays lip service to the police.

In his opinion, the service has not been retooled for a very long time and there are logistical constraints being faced by the men in uniform.

Myjoyonline.com reports that Gyamfi’s posture on the state of the police service follows a directive from the minister of interior, Ambrose Dery.

The minister, YEN.com.gh has learnt, has ordered the acting Inspector General of Police, James Oppong Boanuh, to provide arms for all police officers on traffic duty.

The instruction is as a result of the deaths of five police officers in the last 30 days.

Hadidze also noted that even though the police-civilian ratio is worrying, there is a gradual improvement.

In other news, President Akufo has held discussions with the prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe on mutually-beneficial matters.

President Akufo noted that his discussion with Abe was focused on deepening ties of co-operation between the two countries.

He also revealed that the foreign minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, commissioned a passport application centre in Tokyo, in a bid to improve the ease of acquisition and renewal of passports by Ghanaians in Asia.