Let’s make 2016 polls violence-free – IGP

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), COP John Kudalor, has urged various regional commands, traditional rulers, religious leaders and the general public to assist the police to maintain law and order before, during and after the 2016 general elections.

He made the call during a visit to Takoradi as part of a nationwide peace campaign ahead of the country's polls.

The IGP’s first point of call was the Rapid Deployment Command in Takoradi to conduct a quick parade inspection. Thereafter, he went to the police headquarters at Sekondi to meet the Regional Command behind closed doors.

Later in an address, he challenged the Regional Command to live up to expectation during the election period, adding that, “The whole world is looking up to us to maintain law and order at this critical period in our history and we cannot afford to fail that important duty. We have done it before and there is no reason why we cannot do it again”.

The IGP later paid a courtesy call on the chief of Essikado, Nana Kobinah Nketsia V, and commended him and the people of the Western Region for being peace-loving citizens.

He described the region as the most peaceful in the country, and urged the people to continue to demonstrate those qualities even as the nation heads for the 2016 polls.

He called on all stakeholders to recognise security as a shared responsibility, which, he said, is a prerequisite to sustaining the country's peace, progress and development.

According to the IGP, Ghana remains the only country for all Ghanaians, and it was, therefore, important that love, peace and unity remains the driving force in conduct of everybody involved in the governance process.

Nana Kobinah Nketsia, on his part, thanked the IGP for acknowledging the role of traditional leaders in governance.

He said despite the rather critical role played by the region towards the attainment of independence, he was happy that people of the region have become forbearing and peaceful to earn the praise and admiration of the IGP.