The Director General of the Ghana Police Service in charge
of Human Resource Development, Commissioner of Police (C.O.P),
Alhaji Hamidu Mahama Sampa, has said the actions and inactions of
police personnel must always ensure a peaceful, free and fair
elections.
“Though we have had many successful elections in the country,
we still need to work hard for the success of this year’s
elections,” he stated.
According to Alhaji Sampa, Ghana and the Police Service would
continue to maintain a clean sheet by having another successful
election, but added that “all should bear in mind that no two
elections are the same”.
He was addressing the passing out parade for 108 recruits of
the service at the Ho Police Depot on Wednesday.
Alhaji Mahama Sampa who not quite long ago was enstooled a
development chief by the Paramount Chief and people of Fodome
Traditional Area under the stool name, Togbe Yingor Sampa I,
therefore entreated all stakeholders to perform their roles as
expected, warning “note that our actions and inactions can lead to
a successful election or otherwise”.
In this regard, he has appealed to the leadership of the
various political parties as well as their supporters to operate
within the confines of the law.
“The Police for instance should be given adequate notice of
political campaigns and other events to enable us plan and provide
security for such events”, he requested.
While vouching for the professionalism and neutrality of the
security services, Alhaji Mahama Sampa reminded all Ghanaians that
the onus was on all to ensure the success of events.
“We (the security services) pledge to remain accountable to
the state, the law and to the people of Ghana by being professional
and neutral in the discharge of our duties”, he
affirmed.
He was, however, quick in warning against over-enthusiasm in
the discharge of duties, saying the public will judge the
competence of the police by their sense of maturity, understanding
and determination to achieve the basic standards by which the
Police Service operates. He added that they were therefore expected
to execute their duties professionally without fear of
favour.
For him, the commissioning of the Post Recruit accommodation
by President John Mahama was a clear indication of the commitment
of the government and People of Ghana to providing the needed
support for the Police to operate efficiently.
“The only way to justify these and say a worthy thank you to
the government and the people of Ghana is to prove equal to the
task ahead of you”, he admonished.
His message for General Recruit Samuel Armah for emerging as
the best recruit was for him to see his achievement as a challenge
to strive for greater success stories and praised the Commanding
Officer, staff and drill instructors for a well organised passing
out parade.
