Kumasi, December 19, GNA - Mr. Cletus Avoka Minister of the Interior, has stated that the government has not instructed the police to shoot and kill as way of combating armed robbery in the country as is being speculated in some quarters.

He, however, emphasized that police personnel were at liberty to defend themselves when their lives and that of other innocent citizens are under threat from armed robbers and other criminals. "The fact that they are security men does not mean they don't deserve to live and government will not expose them to unnecessary danger." The Minister also hinted that Immigration officers at the country's border posts will be armed with small arms to defend themselves and others during their night patrols.

Mr. Cletus Avoka was speaking at a joint durbar of security service agencies in the Ashanti Region in Kumasi on Saturday. The durbar formed part of the Minister's tour of security installations and units in the Ashanti region. The Minister visited the Regional offices of the Ghana National Fire Service, Immigration Service, the Prisons Service, NADMO offices and the Regional Police Headquarters.

Mr. Avoka praised security agencies in the Ashanti Region, for their untiring efforts that has resulted in crime reduction in the region. He said it was through sacrifices in the face of the numerous challenges that had made the agencies, especially Police Service able to combat crimes resulting in the relative peace being enjoyed by residents. The Minister pointed out that the government was satisfied with their performance and asked them not to be complacent, especially during the yuletide.

Mr. Avoka charged the officers to be loyal to their superiors, government and the country as a whole in the course of their duty, adding that, even though they might not like their leaders, they should always bear in mind they are serving their country and not individuals and also "do unto others as they would want others to do unto them" when they become leaders. "Don't think nobody has seen your work and continue your good work for the day of reckoning will come. Above all, work in unity, do it with faith, humility, simplicity, be fair but firm," he told the officers and men at the durbar.

He stressed that the visit was also to inspire them to work harder and advised them to have inter-agency relationship to get rid of crime which would serve as a legacy to their successors. The Minister reminded them to continue to be disciplined, show professionalism, and cooperate with each other to achieve results. They should also operate within the confines of the law so as to maintain a positive public image and promised the Ministry's support. He said that government will address their challenges holistically and said 45 percent of houses which are going to be built by the Ministry of Housing next year with support from the United States will be given to the security service.

Mr. Avoka also called on District Assemblies to use part of their funds to help put up building for the men as was being done in Bawku. The Minister charged them to always check their electrical systems since it was the cause for the burning down of the Foreign Affairs building and the Electoral Commission offices.

He said the government was poised to equip the National Fire Service and urged its officers to submit proposals for the modern equipment needed. Mr. Avoka said additional personnel will be recruited into the security agencies through the National Youth Employment Programme (NYEP) and those who show professionalism would be maintained in the Service. Mr. Avoka said government was considering alternative ways of punishing law breakers as a way of decongesting the prisons in the country adding, feeding grants for inmates will also be increased in view of the rising cost of food items.

DCOP Patrick Timbillah, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, thanked the public and the media for their cooperation and support to combat crime and urged the public to call on the police rather than the media when in distress for swift intervention of the police. He was happy about the professional manner in which personnel on night duty at Mamponteng managed to arrest a member of a robbery gang who opened fire on them at about 03 hours on Saturday. Mr. Emmanuel Amoako Yirenkyi, Regional Director for Immigration, said the institution was not meant solely for providing passport but to ensure that people migrated in accordance with the law. Assistant Chief Officer of the Fire Service, Mr. Philip Aheng-Mensah charged the public to be proactive especially during the dry season to avoid fire outbreaks in their homes and office premises. 19 Dec. 09