Five Pounds No Balance Committee inaugurated

A 30-member committee to raise funds for the purchase of vital tools and equipment in support of the Ghana Police Service has been inaugurated in London by Ghana's envoy to the UK, H.E. Mr. Isaac Osei.

The fund, dubbed the "Five Pounds No Balance Appeal Fund", is the first in the series of yearly fund-raising projects to be adopted by Ghanaians in the UK.

It was launched in March at various events held by the Ghanaian community associations at Manchester, Reading, Milton Keynes and London as part of the 46th anniversary of Ghana's independence.

The committee which has Mr. Peter Wiredu, Minister Counsellor (Passport and Immigration) of the Ghana High Commission as chairman would administer and draw up strategies and programmes for the realisation of the objectives of the fund.

The committee is also charged to determine, in collaboration with the Police Service, the type of tools and equipment to be purchased for delivery by November this year.

It is also empowered to serve as the co-ordinating body for all activities and events to be organised in connection with all fund-raising events in the UK.

Membership of the committee is drawn from the Ghana High Commission (GHC), Ghanaian community associations in various parts of the United Kingdom, the clergy, the media, professionals, political parties and selected opinion leaders in the UK.

In his inaugural remarks, Mr. Isaac Osei commended members of the committee for accepting to serve on the committee and added that their acceptance amply demonstrated their desire to join hands with all Ghanaians to enhance the government's efforts to make the Ghana Police one of the best in the continent.

He said the NPP government had since assuming office taken measures to increase the Ghana Police numbers and confidence by procuring over 600 vehicles and other communications gadgets for their operations.

High Commissioner Osei said as a result of improvement in logistics for the Police, the force had appreciably been able to discharge their duties as guarantors of internal security and retained the confidence and trust of the people of the nation.

Welcoming the members, Mr.Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Deputy High Commissioner hoped they would work in the spirit of patriotism to undertake their responsibilities with zeal and enthusiasm.

He urged them to endeavor through various activities to be organised to encourage their compatriots wherever they reside, to support the fund.

Also present at the inaugural meeting was Mr. George Rhoden, Deputy Chairman of the Black Police Association. He said his association would be exploring ways of assisting the Ghana Police with available logistics.

On behalf of the committee, Mr. Wiredu thanked the High Commissioner for confidence reposed in them and pledged to discharge their duties diligently.

At the first of its meeting, the committee elected Nana Otuo Acheampong, Publisher of Ghana Review International and Mr. Imma Plahar, Chairman of Ghana Union, London, as members of the executive committee.

The committee unanimously elected the following as members of the management team:-

- Nana Ampem Darko Larbi 1, Managing Director, Starline International Limited as Vice Chairman.

- Mr.Fritz Andoh, Minister Counsellor (Information), GHC, as Publicity Officer

- Mr. Joseph Ayeboafo, (GHC) as Assistant Publicity Officer

- Mr. Charles Wereko, Counsellor (Information), GHC as Secretary

- Mr. Kwesi Adjei Boakye, Assistant Secretary

- Mr. Emmanuel Bani, Minister Counsellor (Finance), GHC as Treasurer and

- Mr. Kojo Bimfoh ,Financial Secretary.