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The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr John Kudalor, has given an assurance that the Police Administration will provide the needed conducive atmosphere to enable all political parties in the country to conduct their campaigns towards the November presidential and parliamentary elections.

He said the Police Administration would also create a conducive atmosphere for all eligible voters to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming election.

“As you are aware, the 2016 election is going to be keenly and fiercely contested by all the parties in Ghana. As the institution mandated by the Constitution to maintain law and order, it is incumbent on us to provide an atmosphere of security to enable the parties to campaign,” the IGP stated.

Mr Kudalor gave the assurance when he addressed a durbar of officers and men, as well as civilian employees of the Ghana Police Service, in the Northern Region at the Regional Police Headquarters in Tamale on Tuesday as part of his tour of the region.

The IGP, who was accompanied by the Director General in charge of Operations, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr Christian Tetteh Yohunu, and Director General in charge of Services, COP Mr Oppong Boanuh, said the tour formed part of the Police Administration’s plans and preparations towards the upcoming election.

As part of the IGP’s visit, a simulation exercise was organised by the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) under the Northern Regional Police Command at the Jubilee Park to exhibit how prepared the police are to deal with any violence before, during and after the election and also showcase the operational preparedness of the region towards the 2016 elections.

Partisan positions

Mr Kudalor called on the officers and men of the service to exhibit high standards of professionalism in the discharge of their duties to win the confidence of all the political parties in the country before, during and after the election.

“The Police Administration has to be seen to be fair and firm in the dispensation of its duties before, during and after the election. Personnel are, therefore, warned to desist from taking partisan positions in the discharge of their duties. Any policeman found culpable shall be severely disciplined by the Police Administration. Professionalism should be our watchword,” he stated.

IGP’s dialogue series

Mr Kudalor also directed all district and regional commanders to meet with stakeholders, with the view to appreciating problems and assisting to provide solutions, and added that the purpose of the dialogue series was basically to meet key stakeholders in the upcoming election on proactive measures to ensure peaceful election in November.

He tasked the regional commands to engage with the youth, traditional leaders, opinion leaders and leaders of political parties in the regions to collaborate on proactive measures to ensure peaceful election and also collaborate with the media in the regions to ensure violence-free elections.

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