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Security analysts seem divided over the impact of a shake-up in the Police hierarchy on Thursday as the country battles a surge in robberies and other crimes.

Two security analysts, Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso and Adam Bona, seem to see the reshuffle as strategic in the urgent need to quell the insecurity creeping into the country, however, another notable analyst, Dr Kwesi Aning believes the contrary.

Adam Bona believes the reshuffle is a confidence booster – one that will assure citizens that they are safe.
 
“I think it is strategic because it is consistent with international best practices…[The shake-up] is timely. Better late than never,” he said on current affairs programme, PM Express, on the Joy News channel on MultiTV.

Dr Antwi-Danso says every situation calls for a specific strategy, acknowledging that although the actual strategic implications of the reshuffle may be hidden from the public, it is a good move.

“It may be a strategic move…maybe somebody’s specialisation is needed for a certain period, and so reshuffles in security apparatus is always very important. It is only the security tops who would understand why they are doing the reshuffle,” Dr Antwi-Danso also said on the same programme.

These positions contrast that of Dr Kwesi Aning, who says the shake-up will do little to dissuade armed groups from carrying out their activities.

Dr Aning, who is Director of Faculty of Academic Affairs & Research, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), said Thursday: “Changing the men does not help when you don't have enough and when our ability to resolve crime is just 6 percent.”

Poised for action

The disagreements notwithstanding, security agencies are poised to redeem their image as the sometimes fatal robberies raise questions about their capability to deliver on their mandate.

Armed police and military men will be heading to communities across the capital Friday.

The move is the outcome of a high-level national security meeting on Thursday in response to the armed attacks and robberies.

Parliament’s Defence and Interior Committee will also later Friday meet with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante-Apeatu, to get a full briefing on the steps being taken to address the insecurity situation.

The shake-up

The IGP on Thursday announced 11 major changes in the security hierarchyfollowing an escalation in crime across the country in recent times.

The IGP has reassigned his Director of Operations COP George Dampare to head the research department. COP Christian Tetteh Yohunu who was head of the Special Duties is now leading the police intelligence unit.