Police to elect own IGP under UPP government – Odike

A United Progressive Party (UPP) government will ensure the Ghana Police Service elects its own Inspector General of Police, flagbearer of the party, Akwasi Addai Odike has said.

In his view, the work of the IGP can be influenced by the president when he has the power of appointment as currently is the case.

Speaking at the launch of the party’s 10-year development plan and campaign launch for the 2016 elections under the theme ‘Era for Job and Wealth Creation’ in Kumasi on Monday July 25, Mr Odike said: “The [president] and the citizens will not elect the Inspector General of Police; it is the police administration that is going to do that. The essence of it is that when the president appoints the IGP, he always works in favour of the sitting president. We want the IGP and the police administration to be autonomous to work without fear or favour or any influence from any power that be. So we are going to give them that autonomy to work without fear or favour. …Appointing an IGP has always been the norm, but we need to change that and have a police administration devoid of partisan politics”, he stated.

Mr Odike disclosed that his government will pay particular attention to cocoa production and engage the youth and other stakeholders to advance the country’s development.

“… Like we spelt out in our manifesto, we are going to embark on an urban cocoa plantation programme to increase cocoa production, add 50 per cent value to it and export the rest. That is exactly what we are going to do. So we are going to engage the unemployed youth, second cycle institutions, tertiary institutions, district assemblies and all the stakeholders in the development of this country will be engaged and we are going to brand Ghana with cocoa”, he noted.