As part of efforts aimed at augmenting and improving the operational capacity of the Ghana Police Service, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday handed over 1,500 motorbikes to the Service.
Speaking during a brief ceremony at the Police Headquarters, the President said the presentation of the bikes “is yet a further affirmation of government’s commitment in providing the Police Service with the necessary logistics it requires.”
The motorbikes, he said, will help the Service continue to discharge its mandate of maintaining law and order, and protecting lives and property.
“The Police Service, under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has embarked on a transformation agenda, aimed at positioning the Service to become one of the best institutions in the country, and a model institution for the rest of the world,” he emphasised.
Gov’t backing
According to the President, this initiative, which seeks to regain the confidence, trust and the respect of the public, and deepen police legitimacy, has the full backing of Government.
“An institution, such as the Police Service, needs to renew constantly itself in order to respond adequately to the security needs of the country, and I believe Ghanaians are witnesses to the pragmatic steps being taken by the Service in this regard,” the President stated.
The President further acknowledged the efforts being put in place by personnel of the Service, “under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police and members of the Police Management Board, to intensify targeted operations in communities which, hitherto, were notorious for violent crimes.”
He said the ongoing programme to boost the manpower needs of the Service is vital for the effective implementation of the bold, strategic interventions launched by the Service to improve service delivery.
“Government, last year, gave approval for the police to recruit 5,000 officers. Some 3,000 of those recruited have passed out, with the remaining still under training. These officers are the first batch of men and women to benefit from the modified police training curricular, which is focused on equipping the police officers with skills in driving, swimming and motorbike riding in addition to other tactical and soft skills,” he noted.
Admonition
To this end, the President was delighted to hand over the 1,500 motorbikes to the Police Service, urging the Service to continue serving and protecting the lives of the citizenry.
“I am confident that these bikes will be put to very good use, as they will reach the communities who need them the most. I assure the Police Administration that this is just the beginning. More and more motorbikes will come in soon, to help ensure that every single community in the country benefits from the enhanced community policing model. Government will increase the number of motorbikes presented by Government to 5,000 by the end of next year,” he said.
The President urged the Police to show presence, improve their response time, and patrol the streets and the inner cities, after taking over the motorbikes.
“I urge you to help ensure that no community is left out in the distribution of these bikes, even as you prioritise the areas that are most critical. I entreat officers who will use these bikes to take good care of them but, more importantly, to pay particular attention to their safety and the safety of other road users while on the road,” the President emphasised.
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