The Inspector-General of Police, Commissioner of Police James Oppong Boanuh, has commended Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, for his relentless commitment in ensuring successful completion of a Police Station at New Winneba to support the Ghana Police Service.
The station, he said, would come in handy in the effort to address the security concerns of the rapidly increasing population and expansion of socio-economic activities in Effutu.
The facility, which is the third to be financed by Hon. Afenyo-Markin and inaugurated in the municipality within a year has cells, a charge office, offices and a conference room as well as washrooms.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new station, the IGP noted that the facility has come at the right time.
He observed that the numerous educational institutions that are located within the Effutu enclave with their increasing number of students, both local and international, is a testimony that improved security is required to ensure the safety of the communities.
Mr Oppong-Boanuh noted that Winneba is counted among the fastest growing towns in the country and has, therefore, become necessary to prioritise security to enhance economic development for improved livelihood.
He observed that the wide stretch of beach resorts with a number of restaurants dotted along the coast coupled with the world acclaimed Aboakyir Festival with their potential tourism potential also demand a high level of security.
“The facility will, therefore, help the service to serve Winneba and its environs better by bringing policing to the doorstep of the people in the communities.
“The jurisdictional areas of the Winneba Police Division cover the Effutu Municipality and parts of the Gomoa Central District. The division has only Effutu East and Effutu West Police District under it. This is inadequate to ensure effective police visibility, crime prevention and faster incident response time,” the IGP stated.
Mr Oppong-Boanuh said it had become imperative for the creation of an additional police district and stations, saying the new station would be named as Effutu North District Police Headquarters with the New Winneba Police Station and Ateitu Police Station under its command.
He said the jurisdictional areas of the new police district within the Winneba Division would cover the towns, including the New Winneba, Ansaful, Aseibu, Gomoa Mampong, Mpota, Adawukwa, Bewadze, Pomadze, Oguaakrom, Awombrew, Chapers, Pamfokrom and Ateitu.
He stated that the police is determined to maintain law and order in the country as expected but added that it needs the cooperation of the public to be effective.
He said, “Any criminal who thinks he can commit a crime and run away, we assure him we will chase them to wherever they are.”
“We need your cooperation since the police cannot do it all alone,” he said, adding that the support from Mr Afenyo-Markin attests to the fact that modern security was a shared responsibility.
He entreated all persons to respect the rule of law and follow procedures, rules and regulations in all their endeavours to promote peace, law and order.
He particularly appealed to the youth of the area to work in harmony with the police in combating crime and to desist from attacking police personnel in the event of conflicts or misunderstanding.
“If you are not happy with something they do please don’t take the law into your own hands. Please my appeal is that do not attack the police.
“We have the opinion leaders and chiefs and other well-meaning people in the communities, please take it to them and let them help in resolving such issues,” he said and urged them to use all the channels available to resolve conflicts.
The police, he said, will respect and uphold human dignity and respect human rights for all in the discharge of their duties and urged all police officers to show respect in the execution of their daily duties.
“I urge my police officers to show respect and civility to members of the public in the course of performing their day-to-day duties. As police officers, we should respect and protect the human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons,” he stated.
Mr Oppong-Boanuh said the vision of the service would only be realised if the men and women of the Police Service exhibit professionalism in their dealings with the general public.
He, however, stressed that such professionalism requires effective police-public cooperation, collaboration and partnership.
In his short remarks, Mr Afenyo-Markin expressed his commitment to work together with the people and institutions to better the lot of the Effutu communities.
He stated that the provision of a library, school, market and other facilities in and around New Winneba and financial support for some constituents to better their lot are indicative of his commitment to improve the living conditions of the people.
He appealed for support to ensure the police are successful in providing security in the area.
Source: MyPublisher24.com