A Neighbourhood Watch Committee for Babianiha in the Jaman South District of the Brong-Ahafo Region, has been inaugurated to provide security for peace and development in the community and its environs.

The committee, the third most active in the district, was formed a year ago through the initiative of a United States of America (USA)-based Ghanaian Physician, Dr Andrew Ankamah, with the support of his wife, Mrs. Margaret Ankamah, who are both indigenes of the town.

Chief Superintendent Andrews Boadu-Ekumah, Berekum Divisional Commander of the Ghana Police Service, who performed the inauguration, explained that the Committee was to compliment the work of the Police to maintain law and order.

“They are to keep watch in the community to prevent crime and also arrest offenders and hand them over to the Police for investigation and prosecution when found culpable”, Chief Superintendent Boadu-Ekumah stressed.

He commended the couple for their efforts and assistance in cash and kind towards the formation of the Committee, implying that the Committee had brought the Police to the door steps of the people.

C/Supt Boadu-Ekumah told the people that unlike previously whenever a crime was committed, one had to go to the police station to make a report, “now you can inform any of the committee members who can assist you to arrest a culprit and hand him/her over to the Police”.

He therefore, charged, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stephen Ofori Akrasi, the Jaman South District Police Commander, to facilitate the formation of similar committees in other communities in the District.

C/Supt Boadu-Ekumah expressed optimism that all the districts under his Command would emulate “this exemplary effort of Babianiha for smooth security activities in the Divisional area”.

Dr Ankamah stated that the formation of the neighbourhood watch committee was in fulfillment of one of the objectives of his Christian non-governmental organization (NGO), ‘The Good Samaritan Medical and Rehabilitation Missions’ in the USA.

He stated that the broad objective of the NGO was to protect lives through the provision of preventive medical and health care delivery services, to ensure quality health and well-being for the people to attain longer life expectancy.

Dr Ankamah observed that cardiovascular diseases like hypertension and diabetes had become major causes of deaths in the country nowadays, because the society appeared not to have been focusing much on preventive health care.

He said the NGO had, therefore, undertaken annual free medical screening and health outreach services in the Babianiha community and other parts of the country, since the last three years, adding that the long-term objective was to spread the services of the NGO to all parts of Ghana.

Mrs. Ankamah earlier expressed concern about the upsurge of breast cancer in the country, and advised the people to practice regular hand-washing, and ensure eating of quality, well-prepared meals and balanced diets, whilst avoiding habits like smoking and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks.

The Committee has more than 20 members, all males who have been trained by the Police to know the dos and don’ts of their functions.