Minister of Interior, Mr. Mark Owen Woyongo, has congratulated the police administration for a successful year of policing in combating crimes as well as helping in maintaining law and order in the country.

He was particularly enthused about the competence of the police in law enforcement and provision of excellent security for several programmes and events.

Mr. Woyongo made the commendation when he addressed police officers at the annual get-together party known as West Africa Security Service Association (WASSA) celebration in Accra over the weekend.

The occasion was aimed at encouraging police officers to socialise, interact and make merry after a lengthy mandated and hectic year's work as law enforcement officers.

According to the sector minister, the numerous initiatives and intervention programmes that the police administration had put in place to improve the service and policing in general including visibility policing concept and child and citizen friendly policy have yielded remarkable dividends.

He therefore, urged the police to step up their game in the run-up to, during and after the November 7, polls.

He also advised the police service, which is burdened with the most hectic responsibility of maintaining law and order, to take time off its busy schedule to engage in social activities.

“The policeman or woman should take time off his or her busy schedule for merry-making and socialisation.

But while enjoying yourselves, I urge you not to forget to continue to devise ways of maintaining law and order and security because the criminals are always at work,” he stated.

The sector minister particularly tasked the law enforcers to be alert at all times, be on top of their work always and be ahead of criminals.

Mr. Woyongo was hopeful the stakeholders would continue to partner the police as they have done in the past.

He stressed the need for the police to maximise their cooperation with the general public in order to facilitate their work, emphasising the need for protection of the identities of their informants.”

He noted that the police was the pervasive face of government, as it pertains in all democratic countries and whatever they do reflects on the government “so those who cross the line must be disciplined.”

He assured them that government would not relent in its efforts to give the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies the special attention that they deserve.

Mr. Woyongo applauded the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. John Kofi Kudalor, and his officers for the successes chalked so far, particularly the speedy manner in which the police professionally unraveled the mysteries surrounding some high profile crimes including the late Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa North, Hon. J.B. Danquah Adu.