N/R Police Administration to forge closer links with media

Tamale, Dec. 2, GNA - The Northern Regional Police Administration has pledged to forge closer links with the media to promote trust and confidence between them in their common objective of ensuring peace and security in the region.

Mr. George Oppong Asante, the Regional Police Commander who made the pledge at a "Meet-the Press" forum in Tamale on Tuesday, told the journalists: "We need your services to enable us to enlist public support in our operation in the maintenance of law and order and the general safety and security of people in the region."

Mr Asante, who is also Assistant Commissioner of Police noted that Northern Ghana, as well as being the most deprived sector in the country, also doubles as "the region in which there are a lot of chieftaincy and ethnic disputes, harassment of citizens, labelling old women as witches, child trafficking and poverty".

He said: "The vastness of the region goes with its attendant duties. In this regard, the Police and the Press should work closely together to help find solutions to some of these problems."

"By pledging to forge closer relationship with the press, I am indicating an open- door administration where the media should feel free to contact us on all issues without hesitation.

"Even as we establish good relationship with the media, we will also accept genuine criticism from you to help us improve on our methods and approach on issues", the Regional Police Commander said.

Mr Asante said, however that, "when the Police fail to provide some answers to criticisms or queries from the Press, it does not mean we do not regard you."

"Sometimes, the disclosure of vital information may not be timely and may jeopardise police operations, kill evidence or expose a witness.

"Notwithstanding these problems, my administration will endeavour to offer the best of explanation to all our actions and inactions to the Press to create the enabling environment for trust and confidence in the discharge of our duties", he said.

Giving the regional accident statistics between January and October, this year, Mr Asante said there were 499 road accidents in which 70 persons were killed and 93 injured.

He said the accidents involved 415 vehicles, 84 motorcycles and 28 bicycles, and attributed most of these to careless driving and lack of maintenance of vehicles.

The Regional Police Commander said while 390 of the accident cases had not been prosecuted or were under investigations, 39 had been prosecuted and deterrent fines imposed, 36 had been referred to the Attorney-General's Department for advice, 21 refused and 13 closed. He could not however, give comparative figures for last year.

Providing statistics on incidents of crime for the year as at October 31, Mr Asante mentioned stealing as topping the list with 683 cases, while there were 27 rape/defilement cases, 17 cases of murder, 14 robberies and eight cases involving narcotics.

He gave the assurance that the police, in collaboration with the military, would do everything possible to maintain law and order in the region but said this could only be achieved with the active support of the public. He therefore, called on the people to embrace the neighbourhood watch concept initiated by the Police Administration as "a realistic answer to the disturbing crime wave in the region".

The Regional Police Commander mentioned the low numerical strength and inadequate logistics and communication gadgets as the major inhibiting factors facing the Police Service.