POLICE OUTLINE BAWKU PEACEKEEPING CHALLENGES (PAGE 31)

POLICEMEN on peacekeeping mission in Bawku have complained that lack of accommodation and logistics is hampering their efforts at maintaining law and order in the area.
They complained of inadequate rations and the lack of the required security equipment, namely as bullet proof vests and crash helmets among others.
This was during an interaction between the personnel on the ground and the Director General in Charge of Operations, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) John Kudalor at Bawku on Wednesday.
DCOP Kudalor was in Bawku at the instance of the Inspector General of Police to assess the logistical challenges confronting the police service in the discharge of their mandate in Bawku.
The police service has come under severe criticisms with a disclosure by the Upper East Regional Minister that morale among the policemen on the ground had sunk very low.
During the meeting, the policemen appealed for an increase in their rations to GH¢ 4.00. They also appealed for the services of professional medical personnel on the ground to attend to their medical needs.
The policemen also called on the police administration to ensure that their living quarters be fumigated to save them from rodents and insects.
They also complained that their toilet and bathroom facilities were in bad conditions.
Responding, DCOP Kudalor said the Police Administration had taken note of the conditions on the ground and efforts would be made to improve the conditions under which the men worked.
“The police administration will take immediate steps to address some of the challenges facing the personnel in Bawku,” the DCOP said at a press briefing after the tour.
He conceded that the problems facing the men on the ground were enormous as things appeared to have deteriorated and gave the assurance that the new police administration would work hard to resolve the challenges.
DCOP Kudalor was accompanied on his tour by the outgoing Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Alhaji Hamidu Mahama and DSP Abraham Acquaye, a Staff Officer at the Police Headquarters.
DCOP Mahama disclosed that five out of the 14 persons arrested in connection with the recent violence in Bawku would soon be arraigned, adding that one other person had been arrested in connection with the death of the Bawku Municipal Officer of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Mr Felix Assibi.
He said a mobile phone found on the suspect turned out to belong to the deceased. He said once the interrogation was over, the suspect would be put before court.
The director general in charge of operations later toured Pusiga and Garu-Tempane to be appraised of the security challenges facing the police in those areas.
At Garu, the District Chief Executive, Mr David Adakudugu, called on the administration to overhaul the police set-up in the district to control activities of thieves, armed robbers and other criminals in the area.
He said houses were raided daily and people attacked and robbed of their motor cycles and other valuables, adding that the frequent criminal activities in and around the area were making life uncomfortable and unsafe.
Mr Adakudugu gave the assurance that the assembly was ready to commit its little resources to support the efforts of the police not only in the Garu-Tempane District but also neighbouring Bawku.
DCOP Kudalor said the concerns raised would be looked into and given the necessary attention.