Opinions of Thursday, 10 February 2011
Columnist: Boateng, Samuel
The notion that Ghanaians love peace but do not support our security services to apprehend notorious fugitive criminals living in our mist is of serious concern. The murder and maiming of many innocent and great citizens, the latest including two policemen, Constables Prince Agyare and Owusu Frimpong come to the fore.
Ghana Police like their counterparts in other parts of the word, gather intelligence reports on crimes, criminals and their movements, and have arrested, successfully prosecuted or solved a number of robberies and other heinous crimes. Information from the media attest to the fact that the Police Command also works in close collaboration with their counterparts in neighboring and international countries by sharing information on criminals whereabouts and movements. These operational activities of the police, we believe, need to be commended. There is a general belief that the Ghana Police Service, under effective leadership and if well resourced, is one of the best in Africa, if not the world.
This is therefore a call to all well-meaning and patriotic Ghanaians who are very much elated at the arrest of dangerous and deadly criminals to join hands to provide needed financial and other support as well as to congratulate the Ghana Police Service on their splendid professional performance.
Despite the perception of malfeasance and corruption, many of our police personnel are professionals and very competent and if they are given the necessary logistics, support and fair opportunity to exhibit their expertise, they will stand out for all to acknowledge them.
It is our expectation that the good people of Ghana will come together to do everything possible to furnish the Ghana Police Service and their families with social, economic and psychological support to help them combat crime and provide we the people the peace we need to live our lives and develop our communities. The government should provide good and durable vehicles, modern communication gadgets and the necessary tools for it to combat crime, especially armed robbery which is taking a sophisticated trend in the country.
However, we all know that the government cannot meet all their needs, and that is where the community must come in to help. The police need support not only from the government but also all the citizens of this country. Giving financial, psychological, social and information and vital tip-offs can lead to the prevention of crime and arrest of criminals by helping the police to discharge their statutory duties.
Let’s support our Ghana Police Service.