U/East: Security Agencies demonstrate resolve to safeguard peace during December Polls

Security operatives in the Upper East Region had embarked on a mechanical route march to demonstrate their resolve to safeguard peace during and after the December polls. 

Led by the Airborne Force of the Northern Command, about 400 personnel drawn from the various security agencies together with other relevant institutions joined hands to partake in the peaceful exercise. 

The event forms part of administration instruction for security agencies to drum home the need for peace ahead of the general elections and to showcase their preparedness towards ensuring a violent free elections. 

The joint route march involving officers and men of the various security agencies ended with a brief ceremony at the Bolgatanga Jubilee Park, where speeches were delivered to propagate the message of peace as the country heads to the polls on December 7.  

Radio Ghana’s Correspondent, Isaac Asare reports that the joint route march which lasted for almost three hours ended with a parade attended by key personalities including government officials and security service commanders in the region. 

Personnel from the military, the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, the Prison Service as well as officers from Customs Excise and Preventive Services and the Ghana Revenue Authority were ably represented. 

Addressing the parade, the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Simon Afeku said as part of their constitutional mandate to ensure law and order, the security agencies equally owe it a responsibility to promote civility among the citizenry. 

He said the exercise was initiated ensure smooth planning and conduct of the upcoming elections taking into consideration the role of the citizenry in the conduct of a peaceful and transparent elections. 

DCOP Afeku emphasized the crucial nature of the 2016 elections and said the security will be visible at every point of election activity to provide the necessary security so that electorates can exercise their franchise freely without any fear or intimidation.  

DCOP Afeku was however, emphatic that the total peace required in the electoral process can only be achieved if all stakeholders remain lawful at all times. 

DCOP Afeku further assured the people that police will continue to be professional and lawful in the discharge of their duties and said the service will be fair and firm in dealing with any individual, groups or political party whose action poses a threat to security. 

He urged the public to exercise the virtue of patience, tolerance and dialogue and lawful processes in addressing dispute what may arise and not to resort to violence. 

DCOP Afeku warned that irrespective of political colour or persuasion, the police was prepared to deal decisively with miscreants that might take the law into their hands.  

He advised Ghanaians to seek God’s guidance as the country gears up to experience yet another political assignment.

For his part, the Upper East Regional Minister, Albert Abongo who represented as the guest speaker observed that the mechanical route march will not only shore up the confidence of Ghanaians and electorates in the forthcoming elections, but will also send a strong signal to war mongers and potential law-breakers who has the intent of fomenting trouble to rescind their decision. 

Whiles acknowledging the security agencies to live up to their responsibilities of playing a neutral role of ensuring that the country is not sacrificed on the altar of political and parochial expediency, Mr Abongo expressed government’s determination to  play by the rules of the elections without compromising on the country’s security.


GBC