Accra, July 28, GNA - The Executive has given thumbs-up to the Ghana Police Service for the recent clampdown on armed robbers, in response to government's aspiration to improve on the national security situation.

Both President John Evans Atta Mills and Vice President John Dramani Mahama commended the efforts of the personnel of the Service to protect lives and property, and gave the assurance of increased government support to enhance their performance. The commendation was given at the swearing-in of members of the Police Council, chaired by Vice President Mahama, at the Castle, Osu, in Accra.

President Mills decried the threat to life and property by the miscreants, and reiterated that government would not renege on its promise to ensure the safety of the citizenry. He expressed confidence in the members of the council, who he said had the needed competencies to ensure that the Police did its work in accordance with laid down rules. "Members should be able to acquit themselves creditably," President Mills said.

He added that government was also taking active interest in the Police Service and would reciprocate their efforts, and keep their interest at heart.

The President appealed to the public to assist the police with information, as well as co-operate and collaborate with them in the protection of lives and property.

Vice President Mahama warned armed robbers not to engage in confrontation with the police but should rather be ready to give information to the personnel about their activities. He said the police would be compelled to shoot-out if armed robbers first opened fire.

He announced that government was in the process of modernising the service, to make it a world-class. Consequently, steps are being taken to provide a DNA laboratory, and a data base for fingerprints.

Vice President Mahama expressed regret that the reputation of the service had been tarnished with narcotics and warned of severe sanctions against police officers found to be involved in the illicit practice. The Vice President assured Ghanaians of fair regional recruitment into the service, pledging that the council would live up to expectation, and the confidence the President had reposed in the members.

The Members of the Council are: Mr Cletus Avoka, Minister of the Interior; Mr Paul Quaye, Inspector General of Police; Mr Ebo Barton-Oduro, Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Minister of Justice; Mr Ebo Quarshie, former President of the Ghana Bar Association; Mr William Kwesi Aboah, former Director of Immigration; Dr Peter Wiredu, Director of Police Administration; Mrs Naana Ampratwum, Chief Director of the Ministry of the Interior; and Inspector Paul Nabinkori Fori, of the General Ranks of the Ghana Police.

They took the Oath of Secrecy, Oath of Allegiance and the Official Oath administered by President Mills.

Later the President held his first meeting with members of the Council of State. The meeting, held behind closed doors is expected to discuss Government performance since it came into office six months ago.