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 General 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.