Veep calls on ECOWAS countries to team up against crime

Accra, Oct 7, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Friday called on the Police

in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to strengthen their

relations as a powerful tool to fight political and economic crimes in the sub-Region. He said they could do this by sharing vital information and political intelligence that

would speed up their levels of cooperation and development. Vice President Mahama made the call when Mr Pual Tawiah Quaye, Ghana's Inspector

General of Police led Mr Hafiz Abubakar Ringin, Nigeria's Inspector Gener= al of Police, to

call on him at the Castle, Osu. The Two top ranking Police Officers accompanied by some surbordinates were in his

office to brief him on plans afoot for Liberia's general election slated for October 11, this

year. Ghana and Nigeria would contribute 300 and 240 police personnel respectively towards

the maintenance of peace and order and the deployment of election materials in the sister

West African country. The personnel would also be stationed at various points in Liberia for five weeks after

the elections on October 11. Vice President Mahama said Ghana and Nigeria had the responsibility of ensuring peace

in the sub-region and expressed the optimism that their contribution would spur other

ECOWAS member states to support the fight against criminal activities. He urged the two Police bosses to help establish collaborations that would work beyond

elections in ECOWAS member countries and forge ahead for economic and trade ties that

would make the sub-region self-reliant in development and production. Mr Paul Quaye said although ECOWAS had delayed with sponsorship for the operation,

Ghana and Nigeria had agreed to pre-finance their programmes owing to the precarious

nature of Liberia's elections. He said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia had raised concerns about perceived

insecurity in events leading to the elections and that they would work hard to allay the

fears and ensure a peaceful election for Liberians. Mr Ringin for his part, reiterated the determination of ECOWAS member countries to

ensure free and fair elections in Liberia as well as subsequent ones in other member

countries.