Regional News of Saturday, 24 September 2005

Source: GNA

GFGL builds Police Post for Daman

Daman (W/R), Sept. 24, GNA - Daman mine of Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GFGL) has inaugurated a 900-million-cedi Police Post, constructed by the company for Daman community at a ceremony at Daman, near Tarkwa in the Western Region.

Addressing the gathering, DCOP Kofi Doku Arthur, Western Regional Police Commander, cautioned the public not to manhandle suspects, but hand them over to the Police for investigations prosecution. He said, though every citizen has the power to arrest, beating suspects amounts violation of ones fundamental human rights. DCOP Doku said indeed government was supposed to provide facility for security, but it behoves stakeholders to help in the provision of security for the people.

He appealed to other organizations to help the Police Service in the form of providing equipment and gadgets to help the Police in the discharge of its constitutional duties.

DCOP Doku told the Police Personnel, who would be sent to the station to maintain the facility very well. In an address read on his behalf, Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Ayensu, Wassa West District Chief Executive, appealed to the Police personnel who would man the Post, to make it a place of refuge to the under-privileged and victims of abuse and not a citadel for the perpetuation of Human Right abuse.

He told the people in the communities to support the Police by providing them with useful information and expose all questionable characters and criminals in their communities.

Mr Ayensu said, those residents, who would do these should not be subjected to public ridicule but rather should be hailed as heroes. Mr Alfred Baku, mines manager, Daman Mine, said the Police Post was the contribution of the Mine to the Ghana Police Service in the enforcement of law and order in the community.

He said a Police Post was earlier constructed at Huni-Valley, including accommodation for all the Police personnel at the Post and mentioned some of the community-assisted projects as construction of schools and community centre and drilling of boreholes to provide potable water.

He said his company ensures that there was always a cordial relationship with the communities in its catchment area.

Nana Kofi Enyan, Gyaasehene of Daman, who deputized for the Chief of Huni- valley said, constructing the Police Post indicates the GFGL's commitment to improve the safety and security in the area. He appealed to the people to cultivate the habit of living harmoniously with the Police.

Maj. (rtd) Eric Amuzu, Chief Security Officer of the Mine said Daman was the first to establish Community Watchdog Committee to enhance security in the area.