Police to fly six to South Africa to learn how to fly helicopter

Six police officers are to undergo training in South Africa to fly and maintain helicopters as police administration operationalizes a new wing of the service, the Air Wing.

The Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery announced this when he broke the ground for the construction of a helicopter hanger and helipad at the Formed Police Unit headquarters in Accra.

President Akufo-Addo on March 25, announced the procurement of three helicopters to enhance police operations.

Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Opare reiterated the deal on Friday April 13, during the 2019 police West African Security Services Association (WASSA) end of year get together.

This is in response to appeals made by the police administration to help “revolutionizes the police service”.

Interior Minister Ambrose Dery announced at the groundbreaking ceremony that the training of personnel to manage the helicopters starts in May.

“We are sending six of our own Ghanaian police officers to South Africa from next month, to train as pilot and they are also going to train people who will take care of the engineering, and they will come back and man the airways, where they will also continue to train others.”

The two-phased project is to be completed within three months.

The construction work is being undertaken by Paramount Group, with consultancy from Rizzle Consults, a local firm.