Security agencies display force, strength in Cape Coast

Members of the security services in the Central Region undertook a route march through the principal streets of Cape Coast yesterday to boost public confidence in their ability to maintain peace in the region in the run-up to the general election in December.

The four-hour march involved personnel from the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana National Fire Service, the Ghana Prisons Service, the Ghana Immigration Service and the military.

They sang throughout the march which took them through Pedu to Abura and then to Siwdu. From there, they continued to Kotokuraba and finished at the Cape Coast Castle.

Among the forces were heavily built men from the Formed Police Unit (FPU) who put their toned physique on display.   

The Central Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Habiba Twumasi Sarpong, who led the march, said in a brief remark before the march commenced that the activity was intended to send a strong signal to persons who planned to engage in crime and to disrupt the peace in the region.

She stressed that the police had the primary duty to ensure law and order, as well as the safety and security of the people and would make sure that they executed their duties without fear or favour.

She said crime did not have a political colour and as such urged the youth in particular not to allow themselves to be used to perpetrate crime.

"If anybody commits crime in the name of politics, the politics would be taken out and the person or persons would be dealt with according to the laws of the land," she said.

Volunteer information

DCOP Twumasi Sarpong said the security agencies were ever ready to protect the public from harm before, during and after the elections.

The Central Regional Police Commander encouraged the people to be law-abiding and volunteer information that would help prevent and unravel crime.

She said inasmuch as the security agencies were ready to protect the public and ensure that Election 2020 was peaceful, law-abiding citizens should support the police with information, since that was critical in fighting crime.

Professionalism and Neutrality

DCOP Twumasi Sarpong further gave an assurance that the police would continue to exhibit high levels of neutrality and professionalism in their work.

"We are here to build your faith in us, that we will maintain law and order and for you to be certain also that we will be with you always, so do not fear,” she said.

She further assured the public that this year’s elections would be peaceful all through and called for cooperation from the people to make it a reality.