TIMBILLAH GIVES ASSURANCE OF EFFECTIVE SECURITY (PAGE 16)

THE Director-General in charge of Operations of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Patrick Timbillah, has assured the electorate of effective security arrangements in areas designated as “flash points” during the December general election.
He noted that even though some areas and polling stations had been marked as “flash points” there was still no room for complacency on the part of security personnel so far as other area and polling stations were concerned.
That, he said, was to make sure that other polling stations were calm and devoid of any form of disturbances.
“So far 1,399 flash points have been identified throughout the country and this is based on the conduct of the people during public events,” he stated.
DCOP Timbillah gave the assurance when he addressed a meeting of security personnel stationed in the Upper West Region.
It was attended by the General Officer Commanding the Northern sector, Brigadier General K. Adinkra, officials of the BNI, Police, CEPS and other security agencies.
The exercise, which has been code-named “Exercise Peace Angel”, will come off on November 16, 2008 and it is aimed at harmonising the operations of the security services to be able to brainstorm on the possible reaction of people, as well as to integrate and develop the spirit of teamwork among them.
DCOP Timbillah advised members of communities which had been earmarked as flash points not to be intimidated by the security arrangements during the December elections, saying, “When they conduct themselves well, there would be no problem”.
In a presentation on the role of the National Electoral Security Task Force (NESTF), the Police Director of Operations stressed the need for improved communications systems across the country in order to enhance the operations of security personnel during the December 7, 2008 elections.
That, he said, would enable the personnel to respond faster to complaints during the process.
“Telephone and all forms of communications systems must be put in good order before the elections,” he pointed out and advised security personnel not to interfere in the duties of the presiding officers.
DCOP Timbillah further urged the electoral commission to intensify its education on the dos and don’ts of the election.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kwasi Appiah Boateng, said security personnel must exercise power in humility, while taking into consideration the rights of the people.
He noted that the electioneering period was the time for personnel to exhibit outmost professionalism.
He also appealed to leaders of political parties to reciprocate the efforts of the security services in order to ensure an incident-free electioneering.
The Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Mr Yahaya Mahama, took the participants through the process of the elections and what was expected of security personnel before, during and after the elections.