The Ghana Police Service has unveiled its plans to provide protection for Presidential Candidates and their running mates before and during the November 7 general election.
This package forms part of security arrangements being put in place to ensure a peaceful electioneering process.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. John Kudalor, revealed this at a meeting held with the chairpersons and general secretaries of the various political parties at the National Police Headquarters, Accra on Friday April 1, 2016.
Party executives were called upon to make inputs by way of indicating their preferences for their own security details to be assigned by the Police.
The move comes after the importation of three South African ex-Police officers into the country by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to train the security detail of its flagbearer and running mate.
The Ghana Immigration Service subsequently repatriated the South African nationals after they were arrested by the BNI and charged with conspiracy to commit crime and unlawful training.
The Police Administration said it is ready to dispatch its security personnel as soon as the inputs are made.
Some of the party representatives entreated the Police to expand the arragement to cover party chairpersons and general secretaries, as their activities also put them at risk.
Mr. John Kudalor emphasized that security of flag-bearers and their running mates was high on the agenda for the Police, hence the need to hold the dialogue earlier than scheduled.
He mentioned that similar arrangements were made in 2012 to protect such personalities which turned out well.
“We are prepared to provide four and two personnel each for the flag-bearers and their running mates respectively”.
This arrangement is different from general security that will be provided by the Police for political rallies and activities during the electioneering campaign.
Those who participated in the dialogue were the NDC’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Hon. Freddie Blay, John Boadu and Dr. Charles Dwamena for the NPP. Prof. Edmund Delle and Nii Armah Akomfrah for CPP, Nii Allotey Brew Hammond and Mr. Mutala Mohammed Ahmed for the PPP.
The rest were Dr. Henry Lartey and Mr. Frederick Ato Dadzie for the GCPP, Mr. Atik Mohammed for the PNC, and Mr. Mohammed Frimpong and Madam Mercy B. Aidoo for the NDP.
In attendance were members of the Police Management Board [POMAB.]
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Credit: Ghana Police Service