Minister cautions perpetrators against social media violence

 The Minister for the Interior, Henry Quartey, has cautioned persons who incite violence through comments and posts on social media to stop the conduct or be dealt with.

He said as the country came closer to 2024 Election, the po­lice, in line with its mandate of protecting public peace, would pursue such people and bring them to book.

“People sit in the comfort of their room to issue threats. The police would go after you. Nobody would be victimised, but the law would be followed for social commentators, who make all manner of comments,” Mr Quartey said.

The minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso Central, issued the warning when he paid a working visit to the Ghana Police Service (GPS) headquarters, in Accra, yesterday.

Mr Quartey interacted with personnel and shared ideas on how to improve the GPS, to ensure peace and stability during this year’s election.

He said the government would ensure that the 2024 Election becomes free and fair, and that “there would not be any interfer­ence in the election.”

Mr Quartey said Ghana needed peace and safety for development, adding that the government in recognition of the difficulties and dangers confronting the security service in the discharge of their duties, remained committed to resourcing the service.

Mr Quartey said the govern­ment had increased the numerical strength of police from 33,213, in 2016 to 46,116, in 2023, adding that recruitment between 2017 and 2023 was 12,903.

He said the police currently has 1,854 vehicles, 3,954 motor­bikes, and three helicopters and hangers.

Mr Quartey said “government has provided adequate arms and ammunitions to combat crimes in the country.”

He said government had se­cured 320 housing units at Tesano, and 504 housing units at Kwaben­ya, in Accra, for the police.

Mr Quartey said the GPS has established Formed Police Unit (FPU) in all 25 Police Regions, to serve as rapid response team for crime combat and public order management.

“Currently, piloting Police Mounted Squadron and the Ca­nine (K-9) unit to enhance Horses and Dogs patrols is currently being piloted in the Greater Accra Region,” he said.

Mr Quartey gave the assurance that the ministry was committed to working with the police to ensure peace and stability in the country.

He appealed to the police to carry out their responsibilities with  “professionalism, efficacy and ef­ficiency, to guard and maintain the nation’s peace and security.”

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, commended govern­ment for resourcing the service to discharge its work effectively.

He praised the minister for his assumption of office, and assured him of partnership of the police, to ensure peace and stability, espe­cially, during and after this year’s election.

The IGP commended per­sonnel of the GPS for their sacrifices in ensuring peace in the country.

Dr Dampare assured of the GPS’s continuous collaboration with other security agencies, to ensure peace and stability.

“I will like to also thank the public for their understanding, criticism and support over the years, to the service, which has given us the courage to do more in ensuring that lives and proper­ties were saved,” he said.

 BY ANITA NYARKO-YIRENKYI

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