ACCRA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo said on Friday that his government had begun the process of retooling and equipping the police service to enable them to maintain law and order and protect lives and property.
Akufo-Addo said the government would continue to ensure that police personnel were properly trained, equipped and provided with incentives to enable them to professionally discharge their duties and obligations without interference from any quarter.
He was speaking at the graduation parade of the 48th officer cadet course of the Ghana Police Academy in Accra.
The Ghanaian leader said his administration was developing a comprehensive policy to enhance the professional competence and capacity of the police to assist them in dealing with cyber-crimes and cyber security related issues.
Additionally, the Marine Unit of the Service will be resourced and tasked with working in tandem with the Ghana Navy to deal effectively with threats to maritime boundaries and resources.
He urged the newly graduating class to work toward enhancing the police's reputation which is currently suffering low public image than it should have, as per the 2017 Afrobarometer Report, which said 92 percent of respondents believed that "some, most or all" police officers were involved in corruption.
"The citizenry can only have confidence in the Police Service when they are seen to be honest, and prepared to enforce the law without fear or favor. I am comforted by the fact that the current leadership of the Police Service is determined to buck this trend, and you, our newly graduating class, should assist in this endeavor," he added.
The government has so far handed over 308 vehicles to the Ghana Police Service as part of its effort to resource it.
