Tema, June 4, GNA -- Forty-one Metro Guards of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) on Friday passed out with a call on them to desist from assuming unlimited powers. The guards, who received a one-month intensive training at the Police Training School, gave an impressive turn-out amidst a downpour at the passing-out parade. Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater-Accra Regional Minister, said city guards tended to exhibit all sorts of arrogance and pride due to the temptation of assuming unlimited powers.

Nii Ashietey said they must overcome the temptation to extort monies fro m law breakers because it was their duty to serve the people rather than extort money from them.

He said they must not allow personal feelings, prejudices, and animosity or friendship to influence their judgment in the discharge of their duties. Nii Ashietey said the recruitment of the guards was to help the Assembly

face its numerous challenges which included indiscipline on the roads, selling by hawkers at unapproved places, poor revenue collection, parking at unauthorized places, and defecating as well as urinating at unapproved places. He advised city guards against the use of force as a means of injectin g discipline into the system, rather, they should cultivate good human relation skills and diplomacy, since it was their duty to serve the citizens, instead of coercing or intimidating them.

The Regional Minister called on all Assembly Members and staff to sacrif ice and dedicate themselves to their responsibilities, to help the Assembly t o generate enough revenue for development projects. Mr Robert Kempes Ofosuware, Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), sai d it was necessary to recruit the new guards to augment the existing number , whose strength could not cope with the growing population and expanding settlements in the Metropolis. Mr Ofosuware said the Assembly was in the process of recruiting official s for other critical departments including the Works Department that needs more building inspectors and electrical engineers. He said the guards should not compound the problems of the assembly by extorting monies from traders and commercial drivers. 04 June 10