The Minority in Parliament has jumped to the defence of the Inspector General of Police David Asante-Apeatu over recent robbery operations in Ghana.
So far about 40 robberies have taken place in the country since the beginning of the year. In the most recent attacks, one person was killed and huge sums of monies stolen after robbers struck in Accra and Tema in broad daylight within two days.
The incidents have sent panic waves among citizens prompting calls for a military intervention and the head of the IGP.
However, addressing a press conference in Parliament Friday, March 02, 2018, the Minority spokesperson on defense and interior James Agalga said the government is rather to blame for the situation.
The former deputy interior minister explained the Vice President who heads the Police Council should rather ensure enough measures are rolled out to guarantee safety of Ghanaians.
“The call for the IGP’s head is premature and misplaced,” Mr. Agalga told the media, adding: “He’s only the operational head of the Police Administration. He is in charge of only operational matters; he doesn’t determine policies.”
He added: “There is a Police Council which is chaired by the Vice President, and at the top is the president who is the chairman of the National Security Council. So this issue is bigger than the IGP and when it gets to the point where the issues are related to operational matters alone and that the IGP has not shown competence then we will call for his head.
“So those of you calling for the head of the IGP you should be calling for the NPP as a whole to be sacked, including the vice president.”
Meanwhile, the Government has announced that combined teams of police and military officers will be deployed with immediate effect to patrol major cities in Ghana as part of efforts to combat the increasing armed robberies.
The Minister of Information, Mustapha Hamid, disclosed this at a press conference Thursday. According to him, the decision was taken after an emergency meeting between the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Security heads in the country.
According to Hamid, “government has also deployed a surgical operation based on intelligence…to flash out criminals and suspected criminals.”
He added that “Operation Calm Life’, which is the joint anti-armed robbery military and police operations has been enhanced with immediate effect. In this regard there will be heavy military and police presence in our major cities across the country starting from today.”
Hamid, who is also the presidential spokesperson added that government has further directed the Energy Ministry to speed up the lighting of cities and communities to increase visibility.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
