Regional News of Tuesday, 31 August 2004

Source: GNA

People of Abuakwa petition against removal of district police

headquarters

Abuakwa (Ash), Aug 31, GNA- The people of Abuakwa in the Atwima District of Ashanti have petitioned the Minister of Interior and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) against the decision to remove the district police headquarters from Abuakwa to Nkawie, the district capital.

The petition was signed by Mr Stephen Boateng, chairman of the Area Council and Pastor Awuah, a member of the unit committee. The petitioners said citing of a police station or district police headquarters is based on certain criteria, which included population, economic activities, crime rate, social amenities and infrastructure. They said Abuakwa had some of these while Nkawie had none.

The petitioners said the district police headquarters serves two districts, Atwima and Ahafo-Ano South and said the people of Abuakwa were therefore not very comfortable with that development. When the District Chief Executive DCE was contacted, he said the decision to move the police headquarters from Abuakwa to Nkawie, was taken by the District Security Committee (DISEC).

He explained that a site opposite the COCOBOD sheds was not suitable for the construction of a district police headquarters since future expansion of the road would affect the structures.