10-point security tips for the Yuletide

Any nation that downplays safety and security issues eventually lowers its guard on growth and development. This is because safety and security are always at the forefront of the national development agenda.

If the citizenry do not feel safe and secure, it creates fear and panic, impacts negatively on productivity and people become suspicious of almost everybody. In the long run, it breeds disaffection and slows down the pace of national unity, cohesion and subsequently development.

For this reason, in the last six months, the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) embarked on a safety and security campaign with the objective of raising public awareness of security matters, getting their involvement and cooperation in becoming security conscious to safeguard not only their lives but also those of their families and the people around them.

We would like to add our voice to the advice given by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, for the citizenry to take a keen interest in safety issues.

In a keynote address at an event to climax the GCGL’s Safety and Security Campaign in Accra yesterday, Mr Oppong-Boanuh raised 10 pertinent issues of concern which every citizen must consider as we approach the Christmas and the New Year holidays.

As theft and burglary tend to rise during holidays, in the 10-point security plan the IGP identified the marking of belongings with indelible identification marks and the locking up of homes, cars and trucks as important things to do.

He also said if you travelled, you must get someone to check on your home, while we must beware of goods sold at prices cheaper than reasonable market rates.

Furthermore, he cautioned the citizenry to be careful about what they shared and desist from revealing sensitive personal information, including home address, financial information, phone number and the fact that they had travelled.

We must also endeavour to leave outside lights on at night, and when not at home, to leave on some light inside.

Additionally, he stressed the need to detect faulty door locks and windows and keep wandering eyes from scanning valuables to reduce the risk of break-ins.

Finally, the IGP urged the citizenry to avoid sharing live pictures and videos on social media and, most importantly, have a good neighbourly relation with people around us.

The Daily Graphic wants to add its voice to the sentiments shared by the IGP for everyone to take security issues more seriously.

Since security and safety issues are a shared responsibility, we cannot and should not depend on the police alone to guarantee our safety.

As pronounced by the IGP, more than 15,000 policemen have already been deployed to ensure law and order and also protect lives and properties throughout the Yuletide.

But we think that all stakeholders — the citizenry, civil society organisations, the security agencies, the media — must play their part to ensure that the country is safe and secure, especially at a time such as this when we are barely two weeks to Christmas.

In fact, the need to stay safe and secure has become more paramount. It will be unfortunate if anything untoward happens to us as we go through the festivities.

That is why, even as we go through our preparations for Christmas and the New Year, we must be mindful of whatever we do. Whether we are in public transport or driving ourselves, we must abide strictly by road safety guidelines, including not engaging in text-driving, avoiding drink-driving, speeding, among other tips.

Even in our homes, we need to be careful with our lighting system, and while in the kitchen, we must avoid placing combustible materials close to the stove, as well as make sure that whatever food items we send home are all wholesome.

The Daily Graphic believes that when we adopt and abide by the spirit of fellow-feeling and good neighbourliness, we will go through the Christmas and the New Year safely, securely, peacefully and harmoniously.