[ad_1]
Police Inspector General James Oppong-Boanuh on Thursday warned the public against any impersonation of security officers before the election, emphasizing that security at polling stations is the responsibility of assigned security personnel.
“If you are not a member or staff of the security services assigned to the polling stations, you do not have to wear any type of uniform, if someone is caught we will treat them in accordance with the law,” said the IGP.
The IGP spoke during a 2020 election route march by national security agencies on some main streets of Accra to preach peace ahead of the December elections.
The exercise named “Tafia Lafia”, which means walk for peace in Hausa, a popular language in Ghana, is a nationwide initiative that was carried out in all regional capitals of the country simultaneously.
It brought together the security services, the National Ambulance Service and the National Commission for Civic Education.
Mr. Oppong-Boanuh assured the country of the preparation of security agents to be professionals in the performance of their duties, saying; “We will protect peace-loving people and not criminals, and we will work with discipline and dedication to make the elections successful.”
He said the security services have been trained to be impartial and not take sides before, during and after the elections and make sure that anyone who tries to foment riots in the polling stations is taken care of.
“While we protect the ballot, we are also going to ensure that normal peace and security operations continue. Arrangements have been made for everyone who performs special duties on that day to vote, no one will be deprived of their rights, ”he said.
He said security personnel to be deployed to polling stations will be provided with the rules governing the conduct of elections as a reference, urging them to consult their commanders when they have difficulties in the line of duty.
He urged staff to stand firm and think first of the interests of the nation, adding that “Ghana is the only country we have, let’s make sure we are disciplined so that the citizens we protect have confidence in us.”
The Chief of Defense Staff, Lieutenant General Obed Akwa, said the exercise was to demonstrate to Ghanaians that the security services would create the serene atmosphere of peace and quiet needed before the elections.
He said that security would not tolerate any vigilantism in the various polling stations as it had been banned in the country.
The special voting exercise will take place on December 1, while the national elections will be on December 7.
