General News of Thursday, 1 December 2016

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Statement: NPP’s commitments to security services

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The National Patriotic Party (NPP) has promised to improve the living conditions of security personnel, in addition to treating members of the security services fairly.

In a statement copied to Ghanaweb.com, the NPP laid out 17 key policies the party will implement to achieve this objective if voted into power come December 7.

With members of some key agencies including the security services taking part in the special voting today, the NPP is convinced they have the best policies to ease the lives of members of the security services to better perform their duties.

Read the full statement below

As part of our overall commitment to improving the living conditions of our security personnel, in addition to treating members of our security services fairly, without victimization and interference, the NPP will:

1. roll out a National Barracks Regeneration Programme that will invest in rehabilitating and upgrading living quarters of all our security services across the country

2. review and restructure recruitment into our security services to stamp out the fraud and cronyism that have been introduced into this process by the Mahama-led NDC government

3. continue to recruit additional personnel, with increased recruitment of women, into our security services, and, for the police, we work towards the target of meeting the U.N. ratio of 1:500 police to civilians

4. provide the police with modern communication and policing equipment

5. build two new police hospitals at Sunyani and Bolgatanga to serve the health needs of police personnel

6. build 2 new police training schools

7. harmonise and standardise police training across the country, and improve and resource all police training institutions, including the command college at Winneba

8. complete the third phase of the 37 Military Hospital project, as well as upgrade its equipment to meet modern medical challenges, having constructed the second phase

9. construct a new military hospital in Tamale to service the health needs of military personnel and their families in the northern sector of the country

10. continue local and foreign training for Armed Forces personnel

11. commit to adjusting upwards peacekeeping allowances in line with new increases by the UN

12. ensure that personnel who serve in UN Peacekeeping Missions are paid at their duty post

13. take immediate steps to decongest our prisons, and introduce a system to separate remand and convicted inmates, reform pre-trial detention, prison management, sentencing, including noncustodial sentences, social integration, and health facilities for prisoners, prison officers and civilian employees

14. offer competitive remuneration to enable the Security Services attract the best personnel

15. build two Prison Service hospitals, one each in the Southern and Northern sectors of the country

16. provide each district with a Fire Service station where none exists. Where there is one, the NPP will upgrade it as required to meet the minimum standards expected of a modern, well-equipped fire station, and

17. in recognition of their multiple roles, and also as part of the NPP’s aim to grow rapidly our tourism and hospitality sector, we shall pay particular attention to the training and incentivisation of the personnel of the Immigration Service.

The NPP Government will secure the peace and security of all Ghanaians working hand in hand with our hardworking security services.

Thank you.

Signed

John Boadu General Secretary (Ag)