Ashanti Police Lack Communication Gadgets

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) -- MAJORITY of police stations in Ashanti are faced with communication problems. The stations are not easily accessible because the telephones can only receive messages due to the huge piled up unpaid bills which Ghana Telecom can no longer bear.

The worst of the situation is that the entire regional police command has only two fax machines and two computers, which means that the five police divisions, 23 police districts and 109 police stations in Ashanti have no access to fax machines or computers.

This revelation was made by the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Mr. George Asiamah at the formal launch of the Ashanti Regional Police Endowment Fund in Kumasi.

He expressed concern about inadequate police stations and equipment like motorola, walkie-talkies for foot and mobile patrols, four wheel drives to cruise wild terrain and chase robbers, and other infrastructural needs of the police administration.

Asiamah commended the government for the procurement of 413 brand new Peugeot cars for the Ghana Police Service and noted that the police would be more committed and render the best of service and to reciprocate the government's effort to improve police operations.

He, however, stressed the need for the public to contribute to the welfare of the police administration since according to him, the government alone cannot shoulder all the responsibilities, hence the establishment of the Police Endowment Fund throughout the regions to raise funds from well-wishers and the public.

The Minister of Defence and acting minister of Interior, Dr. Addo Kufuor, noted that the NPP government is committed to improving the physical facilities of the police as well as establishing a well-structured continued education service and training for the police to equip them in their policing skills.

He urged Ghanaians to collaborate with the police in the fight against crime and armed robbery and to donate generously to the endowment fund to enable the police deliver effective service.

The Defence Minister charged the police to ensure strict discipline in the administration. A total of ?63million was realised at the launching of the fund. Among the donors was Nana Akwasi Agyeman, former KMA boss who made a personal contribution of five million cedis.