Neighbourhood watch committee inaugurated

A neighbourhood watch committee has been inaugurated in Babianiha in Jaman South District of the Brong-Ahafo region to provide security for the people in the area.

The Committee, which was formed a year ago through the initiative of United States of America (USA), a Ghanaian-based physician, Dr. Andrew Ankamah, with the support from his wife, Mrs. Margaret Ankamah, who are both indigenes of the town, is the third most active in the district.

The formation of the committee, according to Dr. Ankamah, was in line with one of his NGOs objectives.

The founder of Good Samaritan Medical and Rehabilitation Missions in the USA stated that his intention is to protect lives through the provision of preventive medical and healthcare delivery services and to ensure quality health so as to help people attain longer life span.

He noted that cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and diabetes have become major causes of deaths in the country nowadays, “because society appears not to have been focusing on preventive healthcare.”

He disclosed that his organisation has been undertaking annual medical screening and health outreach services in the Babianiha community and other parts of the country since the last three years.

Mrs. Ankamah on her part also expressed concern about the upsurge of breast cancer in the country and advised the people to practise regular hand washing and ensure eating of quality, well prepared meals and balanced diet whilst avoiding habits like smoking and excessive intake of alcohol.

Berekum Divisional Commander of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent Andrews Boadu-Ekumah, who performed the inauguration, explained that the committee was to complement the work of the police to ensure law and order.

“They are to keep watch over the community to prevent crimes and also arrest offenders and hand them over to the police for investigation and persecution when found culpable,” he stressed.

He commended the couples for their effort and assistance towards the formation of the committee, saying the committee has brought the police to the doorsteps of the people.

Chief Superintendent Boadu-Ekumah went on to tell the people that unlike in the past, whenever a crime was committed, one had to go to the police station to make a report, “now you can inform any of the committee members who will assist you to arrest a culprit and hand him or her over to the police.”

He, therefore, charged the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Stephen Ofori Akrasi, to facilitate the formation of similar committees in other communities in the district.

Chief Superintendent Boadu-Ekumah was optimistic that all the districts under his jurisdiction would emulate this exemplary effort by Babianiha for smooth security activities in the area.

The Committee is made up of 20 members all males who have all undergone an intensive training.