The Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has assured event organisers across the country of adequate security, saying the police are fully prepared to provide security for all events scheduled for December and beyond.
Dr Dampare gave the assurance when he led some members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), on Wednesday, to engage the Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority and Event Organizers at the Police Headquarters. It was part of efforts to promote security towards the Christmas and New Year festive seasons.
Plans
The IGP revealed plans for close collaboration with event organizers nationwide to comprehensively address security concerns. This move, he noted, is aimed at bolstering the tourism sector and encouraging the hosting of major events throughout the year.
Dr. Akuffo Dampare emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of events and their attendees, stating, “We believe that events in Ghana should go beyond December because we are always ready to protect you and the patrons of your event. Tourism is a huge boost for the economy, and we should try and hold major events across the country throughout the year because the police will protect you and your events”.
The IGP also expressed a commitment to working closely with the GTA to establish a strong liaison between the police and event organizers, aiming to collaboratively uphold the nation’s reputation and security.
Gratitude
In response to this partnership, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Kwasi Agyeman, expressed his gratitude for the support of the Police.
He stated: “I’m overwhelmed; this is unprecedented. It never happened that we have the privilege to meet the management of the police. IGP and your team, we thank you so much for the opportunity to interact with you and to share experiences that we have”.
Highlighting the fruitful partnership between the tourism industry and the Ghana Police Service, Mr Agyeman acknowledged the critical role of the police in ensuring the safety of major events, especially during the festive season.
He noted that the December in GH campaign, initiated by the Ghana Tourism Authority in 2019, had significantly contributed to the growth of the tourism sector, with a notable increase in the number of visitors during the Christmas period.
Commendation
The GTA CEO also commended the event organizers, planners and hoteliers for their dedication and creativity, which have made these tourism initiatives successful.
He emphasized the minimal security incidents during such events, attributing this success to the unwavering support received from the Ghana Police Service.
The meeting concluded with discussions about the potential for organizing three significant programmes that would further boost tourism in Ghana. Both the Ghana Police Service and the tourism industry are enthusiastic about strengthening their collaboration to ensure the safety and success of future events.
Later in day, the Police also met with some executives of the Ghana Forex Bureau Associations.
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