DCOP Alex Bedie, Henry Ametefe and Major Selorm Amengor
THE VOLTA regional police command has inaugurated an election task force to oversee security in the area during the December general elections.
Regional Police Commander, DCOP Alex Bedie told DAILY GUIDE the task force would also provide security to the general public as well as contestants in the elections.
He noted that the trend where political parties hired macho men and other private security personnel to protect them and ballot boxes would not be needed as the task force was ready to ensure that all political parties received adequate protection during their activities.
He consequently urged politicians not to hesitate to inform the police about their activities such as rallies, durbars and meetings to enable the police prepare adequately for their protection.
?We promise to provide security for every contestant; the only thing is that approach us when organizing programmes, rallies and other gatherings,? he said during the inauguration.
DCOP Bedie admitted that the job was ?herculean? but was optimistic that the police had gained enough experience from previous elections held since 1992 and was more than prepared to watch over the December elections.
He noted that although the police was leading the task force, other institutions including the Information Services Department, Electoral Commission, the military, fire, immigration and prison services and the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) would be involved as well.
DCOP Alex Bedie said the police and other security services would be trained to put up their best during the elections, explaining that the training would include simulation exercises.
The task force will be stationed at the regional police headquarters and already some communication gadgets and other equipment have been installed there.
Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Henry Ametefe said one of the fundamental and critical issues in the success and credibility of any electoral process was election security which should not be taken for granted.
He consequently urged the task force to effectively organize, implement, monitor and coordinate operations of the security agencies to create a safe environment for the elections in the region. He assured the security services of government?s support.
Major Selorm Amengor, Second-In-Command of the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho assured the task force of the regiment?s commitment but cautioned trouble makers that violence would not be tolerated.
He added that Ghanaians should bear in mind that any activity that disrupted the electoral process would lead to the annulment of results at affected polling stations.
The task force in turn appealed to the media and telecommunication companies to assist them with airtime, space, disposable handsets and talk time to make their work a little easier.
From Fred Duodu, Ho
