General News of Friday, 30 May 2008

Source: GNA

Tongu Police Division exists in name

Sogakope, (V/R) May 30, GNA- The Tongu Divisional Command of the Ghana Police Service, carved out of the Keta Division in 2005 continues to exist only in name, Ghana News Agency's investigations have revealed. The new Division covering Sogakope, where it has its headquarters includes Akatsi, Abor, Aveyime and Adidome Police Districts lacks offices, residential accommodation and essential logistics to make it functional.

Police sources, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the Keta Division was also unwilling to offer logistical support to the five districts under the Tongu Command with the explanation that they were no longer under the Division and were therefore not included in its budget.

The sources said the new Command lacked accommodation for the Divisional Commander, the Crime Officer, Judicial Police Officer (JUPOL), responsible for prosecutions, Motor Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) Commander, Pay Officer and an Auditor.

The sources said under the Police Management Structure, the Divisional Command was responsible for the logistic needs- particularly vehicles and fuel, of the districts under its jurisdiction. The sources also claimed that the three district Assemblies, Akatsi, North Tongu and South Tongu, which constituted the area of operation of the new Division were only paying lip-service to requests for those facilities.

Miss Kate Aku Aglah, South-Tongu District Chief Executive (DCE) said lack of funds was the main obstacle to putting up the necessary infrastructure for the new division since there was land available. She said the Assembly had written to the Ministry of the Interior over the issue and was awaiting response. She said the Assembly was more than eager for a quick resolution of the problem so as to ease the financial burden it bears in paying the hotel bills of some of the Officers.