The Minister of Defence, Hon Dr Addo Kufuor assured Ghanaians that armed robbery, like serial killing of women, will soon become a ?thing of the past? so that the nation can move forward with its cherished goal of developing in freedom.

He noted that government is mindful of its responsibility towards the improvement of the logistical requirements of all the security services particularly the police. Dr Addo Kufuor, who is also acting Minister of Interior, made this known to the press at the police headquarters in Accra on Wednesday. The Minister of Interior disclosed that the government of Ghana is paying serious attention to a massive construction and rehabilitation of accommodation units and also a review of the general conditions of the Service of the police for effective responsibility.

?Between now and the end of the year it is expected that 360 new vehicles will be procured for the police. Additionally, about 100 of the police Land Rovers will be repaired to augment their fleet of vehicles,? he stressed. Dr Addo Kufuor emphasized that the government of Ghana recognizes the importance of communication for effective policing.

Accordingly, he stated that the new vehicles being procured for the police will be fitted with appropriate communication equipment, hence plans are far advanced to procure additional communication gadgets such as walkie-talkies, mobile phones, base station radios, all with a view to enhancing the operational capabilities of the police.

The Minister also pointed out that, Government sees in the police hospital an important tool for promoting the well-being of the service and, in line with this, the Ministry of Interior is currently finalising discussions with a company to rehabilitate the hospital at the cost of about $16 million and work is expected to commence before the end of the year.

On the aftermath of the declaration of war on armed robbers, the minister intimated that since the intended declaration of war against armed robbers, the police and military had embarked on two major scoops within the suburbs all yielded positive results.

Dr Addo Kufuor stressed that in eliminating a social canker like armed robbery in society, the security forces will be guided by the rule of law to ensure nobody?s constitutional right, is infringed upon that will ensure a balance between individual freedom and society?s right to security. Toward this end, the Attorney-General?s office has been contacted to issue out guidelines to reinforce existing regulations as a guide for the police and their military in the aftermath of their operation,? he added.

The Minister stated that a free and democratic society is not one where anarchy reigns and therefore the NPP government will not shirk its constitutional responsibility of protecting law-abiding citizens. ?We cannot and will not allow criminal element to hide behind the privilege of our open society and our democratic culture to cause mayhem and instability, he stressed.