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James Oppong-Boanuh, IGP
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh, has asked religious bodies, especially churches, to hold services in two hours during the Easter festivities.
He noted that during Holy Week, religious activities across the country were always on the rise and therefore it was important to reduce the numbers and strictly observe all COVID-19 protocols.
“Conventions, crusades, pilgrimages and such large physical gatherings are not allowed,” he stressed yesterday in an exclusive interview with the Daily Graphic.
Measures
Describing the measures implemented by the police to ensure peaceful festivities, the IGP said that the police would provide increased security during the festivities and that it would include the deployment of plainclothes and uniformed officers to monitor compliance with COVID-19 protocols and take action. necessary actions.
“They will also intensify their vigilance on criminal activities across the country,” he said.
The IGP indicated that the celebration of any carnival, festival, meeting on the beach, street dances, processions, parades and similar events was illegal, since the opening of nightclubs, cinemas and movie theaters was also prohibited.
Concrete strategies
“I want to assure citizens and foreigners residing in the country that the police are determined to ensure peace and guarantee the safety of all. In that sense, a series of concrete operational strategies have been put in place,” he said.
“We continue to intensify day and night patrols, rapid checks, intelligence-led raids, highway and residential patrols, motorized traffic control strategies, community engagement and security awareness,” said Oppong-Boanuh.
Criminal activities
He called on the public to remain vigilant and report all criminal activities to the nearest police station and also urged the public to abide by the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the President, which had legal support, since the police would strictly enforce them. .
“All ‘closed room’ bar or pub activities, including those in hotels, remain illegal,” stated the IGP. However, Mr. Oppong-Boanuh explained that outdoor drinking venues can operate as long as they have observed all other COVID-19 protocols.
Tourist sites
However, he added that tourist sites and attractions could be open to the public as long as the use of face masks, social distancing and greater hygiene by all customers is ensured.
At funerals, the IGP said, families might want to take advantage of the holiday period to bury their loved ones, but reminded the public that it was illegal to hold funerals, saying that “private burials can be held with up to 25 people if performed outside of the church or religious facility. “
“For church or religious burial services, the maximum number of participants should be 100. In all cases, it is expected that the COVID-19 protocols will be met, with a duration not to exceed two hours,” said the Mr. Oppong-Boanuh.
Safe road
On road safety, the IGP said that together with its partners, police officers would be present in areas of traffic congestion and accident-prone areas plotted on the map and that people driving beyond speed limits , overloaded, drunk while driving and committing other traffic irregularities being arrested.
“I call on everyone to continually provide maximum support to the police and security services to facilitate the provision of adequate and guaranteed security. The police are your partners in a common drive to consolidate peace and security, and also to promote social cohesion, ”said Mr. Oppong-Boanuh.
The Police Administration encouraged the public to remain vigilant and in cases of criminal emergency situations, the public should call 0550323323, 0275000156 or the toll-free numbers 18555, 191 and 112.
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