President John Mahama has announced that the Government has commissioned a Singaporean Company to build housing units for the security forces – Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prison Service, Ghana National Fire Service and the Ghana Armed Forces.
He said, during his visit to Singapore in 2025, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Company to set up a prefab industry (a factory) to produce prefabricated buildings.
He noted that the Company’s first assignment was to build a 10,000-student hostel in the University of Ghana.
“But we have also commissioned them to build housing for our Police Service, our Prisons, Fire Service, and the Ghana Armed Forces,” President Mahama said in his address at Ghana Police Service end of year get-together meeting, popularly known as WASSA, which was held at the Police Headquarters in Accra.
He noted that under the Government’s Big Push Agenda, one could find that the security forces accommodation situation would improve very dramatically.
“And so start identifying your lands in your various barracks, where we will build this accommodation so that we can provide enough accommodation for our police service.”
President Mahama said West African Soldiers Social Activity ( WASSA) was more than tradition and fellowship; stating that it was a moment of reflection on service, sacrifice, and their shared responsibility to safeguard peace and stability of their beloved nation, Ghana.
He noted that WASSA offered them a pause in the demanding work of policing and that it was a time to renew bonds of comradeship and recommit to the values that define the Ghana Police Service.
He commended Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the leadership and personnel of the Ghana Police Service for their commendable performance during the recent Christmas season.
“We had a lot of visitors coming into Ghana and there was a lot of activity over the Christmas period. You made sure that crime was kept at a very, very, very, very low level and we thank you very much for your diligence,” he stated
“Normally, periods like this, place exceptional demands on our law enforcement agencies due to the increased travel, social activities, and heightened security risk.”
He said through careful planning and discipline, intelligence-led operations, the Service ensured that Ghanaians celebrated the Christmas and New Year in peace and safety.
The President acknowledged the IGP and his Police Management Board for the strategic deployment of personnel across the nation’s highways communities, markets, places of worship, transport terminals, and venues of entertainment. Adding that this visible police presence reassured the citizens and demonstrated a vigilant and responsive police service.
He said, he was encouraged by the speed and professionalism with which incidents were handled.
Adding that reports were addressed promptly, suspects were promptly, swiftly apprehended, and criminal activities were disrupted before they could escalate.
“Let us sustain this momentum and send a clear message that there will be no hiding place for criminal elements.” He stated.
President Mahama noted that the revival of WASSA after a long pause was symbolic.
He said it reminded them that institutions like individuals must periodically reflect, reassess, realign, and renew their commitment to purpose.
He said this year’s WASSA celebration represented both continuity and renewal; stating that the theme “Resetting the Police Service, Professionalism, Integrity, and Building Public Trust”, was a timely one.
He said it reflected the evolving challenges of modern policing and legitimate expectations of the Ghanaian people.
“There can be no meaningful development without security. Every trader, every student, every commuter and investor depends on a sense of safety. Security is therefore foundational to our national life”.
He said resetting does not suggest failure, nor does it diminish the proud history of the Ghana Police Service.
He said it recognized that changing realities required adaptation, required reform and renewed commitment.
He said a reset builds on strengths, addresses weaknesses, and aligned policing with democratic values, human rights standards, and the expectations of a modern society.
President Mahama said the centre of the reset was professionalism; saying “professionalism must guide our conduct at every level, from leadership to daily interactions with the public”.
“It must be evident in arrests, in investigations, in crowd control, and the treatment of suspects, victims, and witnesses.”
Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Inspector General of Police, said the 2025 end of year gathering of the Police, popularly known as WASA was to enable them take some time off their busy schedules to appreciate one another and to say “well-done”.
Source: MyJoyOnline
Leave a Comment