Ave-Dakpa (V/R), July 18, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians to support the Ghana Police Service with credible information to strengthen the fight against crime, stressing that effective policing depends on strong collaboration between security agencies and the public.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Akatsi North District Police Headquarters at Ave-Dakpa on Friday, July 17, President Mahama described the facility as a critical investment that would enhance policing and improve public safety in the district.
He noted that Ghana continued to attract investors and visitors because it remained one of Africa’s safest and most peaceful countries, attributing the achievement largely to the dedication and professionalism of the nation’s security services.
The President commended the Ghana Police Service for its commitment to protecting lives and property but emphasised that the Service could only be as effective as the support it received from citizens.
He urged residents not to shield criminals in their communities but rather volunteer information that would assist the police to investigate and prosecute offenders.
President Mahama cited crimes such as armed robbery and the sale of illicit drugs, including tramadol, as activities that should be promptly reported to safeguard lives and protect the youth.
He also reminded police officers to discharge their duties professionally and respect the rights of citizens.
While acknowledging that officers were empowered to enforce the law, he stressed that they must exercise restraint and apply only reasonable force when making arrests or dealing with suspects, in accordance with Police Service regulations.
Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, said the Akatsi North District, which was created in 2012 under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, experienced significant infrastructure development before many projects stalled following the change of government in 2017.
He recalled that during his tenure as the first District Chief Executive, the Assembly constructed residential accommodation for key heads of decentralised departments, including the District Coordinating Director, Finance Officer, District Police Commander, Magistrate, Health Director and Education Director.
Mr Gunu said the police headquarters project was initiated in 2014 after consultations with the Member of Parliament, traditional authorities and Assembly Members to address security coordination challenges in the newly created district.
According to him, the return of President Mahama to office had brought renewed attention to abandoned projects nationwide, leading to the successful completion of the police headquarters.
He said the President had directed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to avoid abandoning projects, ensure the availability of adequate funding before commencement, award contracts to competent contractors and strengthen monitoring and supervision throughout project implementation.
Mr Gunu disclosed that more than 618 projects were currently being implemented across the 18 MMDAs in the Volta region, describing the development as evidence of renewed progress in the region.
DCOP Wisdom Akorli, Volta Regional Police Commander, described the commissioning of the facility as a major milestone in strengthening law enforcement in the region.
He said the Ave-Dakpa Police Station was established in 1986 in a rented facility and was elevated to a district headquarters in 2015, although inadequate accommodation had continued to hamper effective policing.
DCOP Akorli said the vision for the new headquarters began in 2014 under the leadership of Mr Gunu, then District Chief Executive, and commended the Akatsi North District Assembly and the Government for ensuring its completion.
He assured the Government and the people of the district that the facility would be properly maintained and utilised to improve policing, maintain law and order, and enhance public safety.
Torgbui Nyamekor Glakpe, Paramount Chief of the Ave-Dakpa Traditional Area, commended President Mahama for completing the police headquarters and other stalled projects in the district.
He appealed to the Government to support the construction of a modern central market for Ave-Dakpa, noting that the existing market lacked adequate facilities and that the District Assembly did not have the financial capacity to complete the project.
The Paramount Chief also called for the dualisation of roads within the district capital to complement ongoing road projects under the Government’s Big Push programme.
He further appealed for investment in the Ave-Dakpa Crocodile Resort to transform it into an international tourism destination and requested the appointment of a resident magistrate for the district court, which already had completed residential accommodation but no permanent judge.
Torgbui Glakpe expressed appreciation for ongoing educational infrastructure projects, including new classroom blocks at Ave Senior High School and workshops at Ave Technical Institute, describing them as significant investments in the district’s future.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Lydia Kukua Asamoah