THE government yesterday demonstrated further commitment to the fight against the menace of armed robbery with the presentation of a number of vehicles to the security agencies.
Presenting 20 vehicles to the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Army, President J.E.A. Mills assured the public that the government would continue to resource the security apparatus to combat crime, especially armed robbery, in the country.
Personal security and the security of one’s property are essential for order to prevail in any society. Whenever people feel a sense of insecurity, they are unable to contribute their quota towards national development efforts.
The President, therefore, hit the nail right on the head when he said, “The country’s smooth and orderly development could be threatened if armed robbers who have been operating with impunity are not apprehended and prosecuted.”
In recent times, the activities of armed robbers have been a source of worry to the government and all peace-loving people in the country.
And to break the back of these shameless people in our society, the security agencies launched “Operation Calm Life” to enable them to mobilise resources to combat the activities of criminals so that Ghanaians and foreign nationals can go about their duties without let or hindrance.
For some inexplicable reasons, armed robbers have been carrying out their nefarious activities with impunity, in many cases aided by people very close to the victims.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, has put in place the necessary measures to promote law and order in society, in collaboration with the Military High Command.
The demonstration of gallantry by the security agencies in recent times by taking the fight to the hideouts of the robbers, even after they have committed robberies, has restored a sense of security in the people.
The robbers nearly succeeded in instilling fear in the people with the high incidence of attacks on residential and business facilities across the country, especially in Accra.
The DAILY GRAPHIC calls on the people to adopt personal security measures to complement those put in place by the security agencies to combat crime.
Chinua Achebe, in his book, “Things Fall Apart”, said in an effort to protect itself, a particular bird resolved that since hunters had learnt to shoot without missing their targets, it had also decided to fly without perching. The lesson that we can draw from this bird is that we should endeavour to adopt additional security measures to safeguard our lives and properties.
The missing link in our efforts at crime combat is the absence of an effective community policing system. It is a pity that residents are not able to rally to the aid of robbery victims, understandably for fear of their lives.
However, we can demonstrate more support for robbery victims if tips offered by the police are adhered to by all residents. Also, all communities should revive their watch committees or form new ones to patrol the residential areas so that they can ward off armed robbers and thereby make the work of the security agencies less cumbersome.
With a police population of about 23,000 policing 23 million people, the resources of the police will be overstretched if members of the public do not act as true allies of the security agencies.
The DAILY GRAPHIC thinks it makes sense for the people to support the endeavours of the security agencies in crime combat so that our communities will become safe and secure for all residents to go about their legitimate duties.
We think given the necessary logistics and motivation, the security agencies will make crime an unattractive business.
No comments:
Post a Comment