The vehicles, which included 10 Toyota Hilux Pick-Ups, 25 Honda four-wheel All-Terrain-Vehicles (ATV) and 20 Honda motorcycles, were made available by the Government of Ghana as part of efforts to equip the Service with the necessary logistics to help it combat cross-border crimes and irregular migration.

The provision of these vehicles fits into the Service’s vision of restructuring, revamping and retooling its Border Patrol Unit to effectively patrol the borders of the country and ensure their security.

Receiving the keys to the vehicles and motorcycles, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration in-charge of Operations and Command Post (DCG/OPs & CP), Mr. Laud Affrifah, indicated that they would be distributed to the various border posts of the Service to intensify surveillance.

He said that the vehicles and motorcycles would significantly contribute to the fight against illegal entries and cross-border crimes.

He reminded border patrol personnel who would be using the vehicles to take good care of them and ensure their regular servicing.

“Already, Management of the Service has directed all Commands to strengthen security checks at the borders and ensure due diligence,” he noted.

He added that “if we are able to effectively deter and prevent miscreants and other illegitimate migrants from entering the country, the nation’s crime issues would be more than half resolved.”

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Following the upsurge in armed robbery cases in Ghana, Ambrose Dery said government is in the process of acquiring some helicopters to help the police deal with the robbers.

He said government will  procure “about three helicopters… and they will be stationed in Accra with the police and they will help in the backups.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”vsw4DL32sF9yaPdTMyCLFnuSXwp6RM1C”]But speaking on Citi FM’s news analysis programme, The Big Issue on Saturday, Franklin Cudjoe advised the Minister to shelf such dreams and put the supposed GHc800 million budgetary allocation to the Police Service to better use.

He insists that despite the negligible allocation, the Police could still greatly improve their visibility on the streets to deter criminals.

“We’ve heard about some GHc800 million that will be given, the good thing would have been to find out where the GHc160 million allocated last year went. I can say that it’s useful but that is nothing because it is about 0.2% of the entire budget for the year 2018. The GHc800 million that will come, please we beg the Interior Minister; he should stop entertaining these dreams of helicopters,” Franklin Cudjoe added.

“The police service ought to be properly resourced but when they’ve been so resourced, they shouldn’t use it the way they want. They have to be visible on the streets,” he added.

GHc800m for police

President Akufo-Addo during the State of the Nation Address in February 2018, indicated that government will allocate some GH¢ 800million to the Ghana Police Service to ensure improvement in its operations.

He said the amount will be used for the procurement of modern policing equipment and gadgets including helicopters and drones to enhance the capacity of the service in dealing with crime in the country.

“The police, the prosecution services and the judiciary owe it to all of us to make us feel and be safe. I do not need to repeat that crime wears no political colours, and I am certain that message has gone down to all…The law enforcement agencies will crack down very hard on all those who would disturb the peace of our nation…We will give the Police the resources they need to do their job,” Akufo-Addo added.

‘Wave of robbery’

There appears to be a heightened wave of robbery attacks in the country in recent months with some of the worst cases reported in the last few weeks.

A number of incidents have involved brazen attacks by the robbers on individuals organisations in broad daylight.

A Lebanese was shot and killed at Tema Industrial Area this week with the assailants making away with GHS 200,000 he had withdrawn from a bank minutes earlier

‘We’re in control’

Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has given indications that it is in control of the situation and will go every length to protect the citizenry.

Following the recent developments, the government, together with the various security agencies, announced new steps and directives to address the situation.

The measures include an order for forex bureaus and financial institutions to install CCTV cameras at their workplaces as well as improved police visibility in crime-prone areas.

The top hierarchy of Ghana Police Service has also been reshuffled by the IGP, David Asante-Apeatu with a number of notable changes including George Akuffo Dampare, Director General of Police Operations, being reassigned to head the Police Research and Planning Department.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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This was disclosed to journalists on Wednesday February 28, 2018 in Accra, by the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Derry.

According to him, the UN granted the request for the Ghanaian delegation to also independently investigate the issue.

[contextly_sidebar id=”IQZsAOQQlPxTptOhVAmmMyTXOb0xfPex”]“The UN has agreed that our team should go there and investigate,” he said.

Some members of a Ghanaian police unit working with the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan are being investigated for breaching the UN’s sexual exploitation and abuse rules.

The unit in question has also been recalled.

The investigation into the conduct of the officers began after reports that they were having transactional sex with women living in one of the protection camps with gifts or favours given in exchange for the encounters.

Mr. Derry, who spoke to journalists on the sidelines of a wreath laying ceremony held for servicemen who lost their lives in the February 28 crossroad shooting, said he was hit hard by reports of the alleged sexual misconduct by the Ghanaian soldiers.

“As the Minister for Interior the allegation hit me hard… It is still under investigation and we will be the first to bring to book any Ghanaian we find who has breached the rules, and the UN allowing us to independently investigate the matter shows that they believe we are going to contribute constructively to it,” he added.

We’ll cooperate with UN probe – Police

The Police Administration had promised to cooperate fully with the UN in the investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct.

In a statement released by the Police after the news broke, the Police Administration conveyed “its fullest cooperation and support to investigate the alleged sexual exploitation and abuse case.”

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post C’ttee probing sexual misconduct by peacekeepers visits South Sudan appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This was disclosed by the Interior Minister Ambrose Derry who was commenting on the recent upsurge in crime, particularly armed robbery.

He said government is taking swift measures to deal with crime, especially armed robbery.

[contextly_sidebar id=”m90LoYDiOkdKM8xLb7QsyC3sarhVoUti”]Speaking to journalists today [Wednesday] February 28, 2018, on the sidelines of a wreath laying ceremony for servicemen who lost their lives in the February 28 crossroad shooting held at the Black Star Square, the Minister said processes have commenced for the procurement of vehicles, helicopters and other equipment needed for the smooth operations of the security services.

“We have focused to fight crime, it has never been so. In the past it has been a general approach to crime and being reactive…the law has provided that in terms of security matters, you can have sole sourcing, we might have to do that to quickly get things in.”

He said they will in the meantime procure “about three helicopters… and they will be stationed in Accra with the police and they will help in the backups.”

The Police Service over the years, has complained about lack logistics to fight crime following armed robbery attacks on mobile money vendors and forex Bureau institutions.

There have been robbery attacks in areas like Hallelujah, Gbetsile, Oyibi, Ashongman and other communities within the Greater Accra Region.

Two separate daylight robbery cases were recorded in Accra on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, one in North Kaneshie and the other one at Royal Motors in Accra.

In the case of Royal Motors, the robbers stormed the premises of the automobile company and made away with huge sums of money believed to be the company’s sales for the day.

Some nine robbers according to the police have been arrested for attacking some 20 forex bureaux in the Spintex road.

The police also said two persons have been arrested in connection with the North Kaneshie robbery.

President Akufo-Addo in his state of the nation address in February 2018, said that government was going to allocate an amount of Ghc800 million to retool the police service.

Many have cast doubt about the pledge, since similar promises to the service over the years have not been fulfilled.

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By: Seidu Anass/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Police to get helicopters to fight crime – Ambrose Dery appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, the suspects were shot when they attempted to escape custody, whilst the police conducted a search at one of their hideouts to retrieve weapons.

[contextly_sidebar id=”t1b5SohhiUt9svw10IvyFT6tkjxoWgMb”]He said, police information indicates that, victims of recent robberies identified the two in a recent parade conducted in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi.

The shooting and killing of the two sparked riots in the area prompting the Speaker to summon the Interior Minister to the house today [Wednesday].

Addressing MPs, Ambrose Dery said investigations were still underway to determine the full facts of the matter.

Meanwhile, the MP for the area, Muntaka Mubarak, is disputing some of the claims by the Minister.

According to the MP, one of the suspects, Audu Osman, is a man of sound character and could not have been an armed robber

Background

Awudu Osman, also known as Awudu Ninja, was shot and killed by police with his alleged accomplice Lukeman Mohammed, also known as Alfa.

Final funeral rites had been held for both suspects according to Islamic tradition.

Relatives of Osman have intensified their call for justice for the deceased after they had given Government and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) a three-day ultimatum to investigate the death.

The situation prompted the Asawase Member of Parliament, Muntaka Mubarak, to raise the matter on the floor of Parliament, where he requested that the Interior Minister be made to appear before MPs to speak to the matter.

Mr. Muntaka, who was at the funeral on Sunday, reiterated his resolve to get to the bottom of the matter.

“For us, we will continue to pursue till we get justice for him. I mean, the Minister for Interior has Tuesday or Wednesday to come and brief the house, and obviously, I think we will push for an independent investigation so that we don’t leave it to the police, but we will get an independent body to investigate this so we can ascertain the truth.”

The Asawase MP, who later visited the pregnant widow of one of the deceased persons, said she was still traumatized over the incident, and feared her children and other relatives could be stigmatized in the future.

He cautioned the youth to be patient and not to take the laws into their hands. He also urged relatives of the deceased to cooperate with the process in their quest to seek justice for the deceased persons.

The family is yet to get a copy of an autopsy report which was handed to police by doctors on Thursday.

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By: Duke Mensah Opoku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘Killed’ robbery suspects were terrorizing residents – Dery appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 13, who were prosecuted for assaulting the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator in March 2017 in protest against his appointment, were finally sentenced to a fine of Ghc1,800 each, and made to sign a bond of good behaviour.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Ytv0r2cDLFHEAgUKYWMvtO22Peg5Fl8v”]This was after their charges were reviewed from assaulting a public officer and causing unlawful damage to rioting.

It would be recalled that, during the trial, the 13 suspects were freed from open court allegedly by their colleagues, who were angered by the decision of the judge at the time to remand them into police custody.

The 13 suspects later turned themselves in to the court, and were made to sign a bond of good behaviour, and fined Ghc2,400 cedis each.

But under rather bizarre circumstances, the eight persons who raided the court, were freed for lack of evidence, a development that was widely condemned, considering the threat that action posed to the judiciary.

Following these developments, many have described the fines slapped on the 13 as weak, and a subtle attempt by the government to ensure that the culprits who are members of the ruling party do not spend time in jail.

Mr. Dery however downplayed these suggestions, insisting government prosecuted the 13 Delta Force members although they are believed to be members of the NPP.

He said the government cannot be blamed for the sentence handed to them by the judiciary.

“…Vigilantism is real, and the Akufo-Addo government hasn’t run away from it. This is the government that has taken people that are known as its supporters and sent to court, they went through due process, they were convicted and they were sentenced.

“I’ve heard people say that the sentences are not harsh enough, but let’s put it in context. The law in the kind of offences they were charged with encourages reconciliation and settlements outside. If you put it in that context, we didn’t even allow a settlement of the matter which would have still been within the law. We sent it there, and it’s not our remit.  It’s the remit of the judiciary, and the judiciary has taken a decision – they have been convicted, they have been sentenced… so we need to go beyond mere criticism to find out what are the legal limitations in sentencing. What are the considerations in sentencing; but what I can say with pride is that, we are not condoning any actions,” he explained.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We prosecuted Delta Force 13 although they’re NPP – Dery appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said his outfit is constantly monitoring the situation in the area to review the curfew situation there.

[contextly_sidebar id=”gQGrhxR2bLguY57m5VbEn6pzvTAjjuhX”]Bimbilla has been under curfew for over 10 years due to recurring chieftaincy conflicts which usually results in the loss of lives and property.

Last month, the District Security Council (DISEC) at Bimbilla together with the residents called for a total review of the curfew claiming that it was long overdue.

But speaking to Citi News, Mr. Dery said although  government is impressed with the stability in the area currently, it still has to monitor the situation and ensure that the people continue to live in peace before lifting the curfew.

“The expectation of government is to make sure that the people of Bimbilla go freely about their duties without any curfew at all, but circumstances compelled us to impose a curfew…. So far we have been assured that there has been a great improvement and I encourage them to keep it up so that we finally come to the conclusion that everything is clear. The president will be very happy that we finally lift the curfew,” he said.

He appealed to residents to play  their respective roles in ensuring that lasting peace is restored to the area.

“I’ll call upon the citizens of Bimbilla to make it possible for us to lift the curfew completely, but that can only be done when we are assured that the security will not be disturbed,” he said.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We’ll lift Bimbilla curfew if peace prevails – Dery appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He said auctioneering in recent times had come under public scrutiny due to the crooked activities of some auctioneers and, thus, charged the Board to keep an eagle eye on them.

“You need to work harder to redeem your image and put all your expertise together to make the Board function well…,” he emphasised.

Mr Dery said this at the inauguration of a nine-member Auctioneers Registration Board in Accra, after he had administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy to them.

He noted that auctioneers had a critical role to play in the economic development of the nation and, therefore, they needed to sanitise the industry and ensure that only honest and trustworthy persons practice the trade.

This, he said, would reduce the negative reportage about the business in the media and foster public confidence in the professionals.

“As a regulator, the Board needs to intensify its monitoring system to cover the other regions to ensure all members are in good standing,” Mr Dery charged.

The Interior Minister explained that the members of the Board were selected based on their individual skills, expertise, experience and knowledge, therefore, they must bring them to bear in the discharge of their duties.

Mr Henry Quartey, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, who is also the Chairperson of the Board, on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them and gave the assurance that they would work diligently to achieve the vision and mission of the Government.

He acknowledged the enormous task entrusted to them and pledged to work effectively and efficiently to manage the auctioneering business in the country.

The Board members are Ms Jemima Mamaa Oware, of the Registrar General’s Department, Mr Frank Sofo, a representative from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, COP Frank Adu-Poku, the Ghana Police Service, and Mr Emmanuel Tetteh Martey, from the Ghana Institute of Surveyors.

The rest are Mr Kofi Christopher Sory, Mr Habib Saad and Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, all nominees of the President.

The Auctioneers Registration Board was established by the Auction Sales Act, 1989 (PNDCL 230), to register auctioneers, grant licences to auctioneers or to revoke or suspend the licences of members.

It is also to establish standards for the conduct of auction sales and to receive complaints made by a member(s) of the public in respect of registered auctioneers or relating to an auction sales and take appropriate disciplinary action.

The Board is supposed to keep a register of all licensed auctioneers in the country.

–

Source: GNA

The post Flush out unscrupulous auctioneers – Interior Minister to Board appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the lawsuit filed by his lawyer, Gary Nimako, the temporary working visa will enable him live and work legally in the country while figting his illegal deportation case in court.

An Accra High court had earlier indicated that the Interior Minister breached the rule of natural justice by refusing to give the plaintiff a hearing after he had accused him of allegedly committing fraud.

The court on July 31, 2017, quashed the deportation of Mr. Sivaram by Ambrose Derry.

According to the court, the Interior Minister exceeded his jurisdiction by determining fraud against the Indian businessman without recourse to the court.

The court also indicated that the Interior Minister breached the rule of natural justice by not giving the plaintiff a hearing after he had accused him of allegedly committing fraud.

But Mr. Sivaram, since his return to the country has not been given a visa despite a court order.

The Indian businessman has also petitioned President Nana Akufo-Addo to call the Minister of Interior and the Comptroller of the Ghana Immigration Service to order over what he termed as harassment by the aforementioned personalities.

Mr. Sivaram said he was constantly being harassed by officials of the Ghana Immigration Service and he believes his frustrations are part of a grand scheme to transfer his interest in his company, Jai Mai Communications Limited, to his business partner.

The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Kwame Asuah Takyi has, however, rejected accusations that he is conniving with the Interior Minister to frustrate the Indian businessman.

We’ve no agenda against Indian businessman

Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, Kwame Asuah Takyi has rejected accusations that he is conniving with the Interior Minister Ambrose Dery, to frustrate an Indian businessman.

“He has misled the public. He has thrown dust into the eyes of the public. What would the Minister of Interior, honorable Ambrose Dery, gain by interfering in the business of a foreign expatriate… why should he?” Mr. Takyi asked in a Citi News interview.

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By: Fred Djanbanor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Indian businessman files suit for working visa appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

In the petition, he accused the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, Director/Comptroller of the Immigration Service, Kwame Takyi and Deputy Comptroller General in-charge of Operations, Laud Afrifa of plotting to illegally deport him and take over his company.

Ashok Kumar Sivaram said he is constantly being harassed by officials of the Ghana Immigration Service and he believes his frustrations are part of a grand scheme to transfer his interest in his company, Jai Mai Communications Limited, to his business partner.

[contextly_sidebar id=”mOdA4ClZLCUCycPRQ0HGbcNhRprLAtQ6″]Ashok in the petition dated August 15, 2017 called on the president to intervene in the matter.

“Mr. President, the action of the respondents is a deliberate ploy to render my status in the country without a valid permit in order to easily facilitate my removal from the jurisdiction. This action by the respondents is also a clear attempt to undermine the order for valuation of the company the by high court dated 5th May, 2017. Mr. President, I implore you as the father of the nation to graciously step in to resolve the matters raised in my petition. I shall forever be grateful to you for your prompt action on this matter,” he added in the petition.

An Accra High Court on July 31, 2017 quashed the deportation of Mr. Ashok by Ambrose Derry.

According to the court by presided over by Justice Kwaku Ackah Boafo, the Interior Minister exceeded his jurisdiction by determining fraud against the Ashok without recourse to the court.

The court also indicated that the Interior Minister breached the rule of natural justice by not giving the plaintiff a hearing after he had accused him of allegedly committing fraud.

The Interior Minister and the Comptroller General of Immigration are said to have approved the deportation of Mr Sivaram on grounds that he obtained a fake marriage certificate to enable his stay in Ghana; a claim Mr Ashok Kumar Sivaram who had lived in the country for close to a decade rejected.

“Mr. President, whilst the respondents are failing to conduct their statutory work, they keep sending Immigration Officials after me ostensibly to arrest and repatriate me so to lock my huge investments in Ghana in order to aid my business partner to take over my business interest. Mr. President the respondents are refusing to restore my residence/work permit even though the deportation order based on which my residence/work permit was cancelled by them has been quashed by the High Court in a ruling delivered on 31st July 2017.”

Click here for the full petition:

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Indian businessman petitions Nana Addo over Interior Minister’s ‘harassment’ appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.