Acting IGP inaugurates police station for Aboabo No. 4

The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr James Oppong-Boanuh, has inaugurated a police station at Aboabo No. 4 in the Dormaa Central municipality of the Bono Region.

The station will serve the Aboabo Nos 1-4, Manteware, Ahwiresu, Hwiehwiegu, Anyinasu, Dwen, Gyidiem, Asumpenam and their sub-villages.

Mr Oppong-Boanuh presented a pickup to the new police station to enhance its operations.

The structure was originally a post office built in 1958 that had not been in use for some time.

It was, however, renovated by the chiefs and people of Aboabo No. 4 and surrounding communities at GH¢250,000 to serve as a police station.

For the acting IGP, it was a virtual homecoming to his native area, as he led a high-powered police delegation to inaugurate the new facility.

His presence, perhaps, was a special attraction as a crowd of chiefs and people of the various communities in the area thronged the durbar grounds last Friday, some in full traditional regalia, amid a display of native cultural dance.

Indeed, the function was attended by the Minister of Health and New Patroitic Party MP for Dormaa Central, Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu; the Municipal Chief Executive of Dormaa Central, Mr Idrissa Oatarra, and the respective Chief Executives for Dormaa East and West districts, Mr Emmanuel Kofi Agyeman and Ms Mary Ameyaa.

Mr Oppong-Boanuh stressed that no form of violent attacks — physical or otherwise — would discourage the police from doing their work professionally and serving the public satisfactorily.

He consequently encouraged the public to be law-abiding and support police officers posted to their localities to fight crime and disorder.

Paradigm shift

Mr Oppong-Boanuh said crime had assumed a complex dimension due to multiple factors, including growing population, youth unemployment, advancement in information and communication technology, rapid economic development and globalisation.

"Criminal activities have become more organised and go beyond the borders of the country," he said, explaining that crimes such as kidnapping, cybercrime, money laundering, human trafficking, narcotic trade and terrorism continued to torment the world and made life unbearable.

Mr Oppong-Boanu said criminals continued to devise new ways to outwit law enforcement agencies through strong networks and sophisticated resources, stressing that without community support, the police alone could not tackle crimes effectively.

"There is the need for a paradigm shift, which calls for the involvement and holistic support from stakeholders to effectively prevent crime and mitigate the fear of it," the acting IGP stated.

Assurance

Mr Oppong-Boanuh said the people of the area, by coming out to support the inauguration ceremony, had proven their commitment to national efforts to ensure that the country became a peaceful country and set a good foundation for economic growth, development and improved livelihood.

"I want to assure the people of Aboabo that the building will be put to good use to serve the jurisdiction," he said, adding that the police administration would support the station with requisite personnel and logistics to enable it to live up to expectation and consolidate peace and security in the area.

Adontenhene

The Adontenhene of the Dormaa Traditional Area, Barima Yeboah Kordie, called on Ghanaians to consider police personnel posted to their areas as friends and support them to fight crime and maintain law and order.

He expressed concern about the lack of accommodation for police personnel across the country, and called on the government to pursue a vigorous programme to solve that challenge.

Barima Kordie gave an assurance that the chiefs and people of the area would collaborate with the police to maintain law and order.