By Gifty Amofa
Accra, Feb.18, GNA – Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, Minister for the Interior, has commended the Ghana Police Service (GPS) for its recent public image improvement.
He commended the Service for the enormous efforts put in before, during and after the elections and doing very well to keep the country safe, adding that there was no single gunshot by any personnel, especially during the 2024 general elections.
The Minister also, the Member of Parliament for Asawase in the Ashanti Region, made these observations at a special guard of honour held for him at the National Police Headquarters as he assumes office.
It was also to interact with the Police Management Board (POMAB) and the Regional Police Commanders on how to enhance their mandate.
“Your image in the public is improving but we believe you are not where we want you to be. We hope your today becomes better than yesterday and tomorrow be better than yesterday,” he said.
He said the government was committed to improving the peace and security in the country and the GPS was a key partner in achieving those goals.
The Minister said the government had a comprehensive plan to critically review the national security architecture and comprehensively implement reforms to ensure professionalism.
The reform, he said, would focus on equipping all security agencies to effectively execute their mandate towards ensuring the well-being, personal safety and national security.
Alhaji Mubarak said the government was poised to ensure that the Service was insulated from political interference and that it would undertake a comprehensive human resource audit to ensure service delivery.
He said there were plans to revamp the Police Public Order Management School in Walugu to roll-out a transparent police education and scholarship schemes and introduce state-of the-art technology for police operations.
As the President is particular about women’s representative in all sectors, government aims to increase women representation in police service, he hinted.
He said in the area of infrastructure and technology, the government had plans to embark on emergency redevelopment projects for regional and district offices, more importantly modern offices and accommodation particularly in the newly created regions.
Government, he said, would revamp Police Driving School in Kumasi and expand Police Hospital to cater for the other security agencies, expand involvement in UN and other Peace Keeping Operations, increase personnel allowances of those who participated in those operations.
“I pledge to support the Police to carry out its mandate in maintaining law and order, protecting lives and property as well as safety and security of all Ghanaians.”
He commended the gallant officers who put their lives on the line day and night, thanking them for their dedication to duty and commitment to serving Ghanaians.
“I have your back, and I have your welfare at heart, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that the Police become more attractive to every citizen,” he said.
He said “I will not be involved in your professional line of duty, but I would support you in terms of policy to ensure that you rendered better service.”
Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the Inspector General of Police, pledged that the Service would continuously undertake its constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order to keep the peace.
GNA