This was announced by the Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, after Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia called an emergency meeting with top security officials on Thursday following the increased crime wave.

Mr. Hamid said the ongoing operation ‘Calm Life’ aimed at combating criminal activities in all parts, “has been enhanced with immediate effect.”

Among the interventions from the government, he said there will be “heavy military and police presence in our major cities across the country starting from today [Thursday, March, 1].”

Mr. Hamid also said “there will be surgical operations in certain areas of our countries based on intelligence whose purpose shall be to flush out criminals and suspected criminals.”

“We are therefore calling on the public not to panic or be nervous when they find police and military teams in their various areas. They mean no harm. They will harm no person that are going about their lawful duties and they are only in search of criminals and suspected criminals,” the Information Minister added.

COP Dampare, 10 others reassigned

These interventions come amid the major reshuffle at the top of the Police hierarchy as DCOP George Akuffo Dampare, Director General of Police Operations, was among 10 others reassigned by the Inspector General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu.

DCOP Dampare has been moved to head the Research and Planning Department of the Police Service and he is to be replaced immediately by the Eastern Regional Police Commander, COP Simon Afeku.

Whilst the reasons for the latest reshuffle are unknown; it comes at a time when the police service has come under severe criticism following the increased insecurity.

Other interventions from government

In response to the recent robbery and murder cases, the government has also said:

• There will be enhanced surveillance on financial institutions, forex bureaus and money vending points across our cities.
• That all financial institutions take steps to install CCTV cameras on their premises.
• That the Government will roll out a programme to link all these CCTV cameras to a national operation command centre.
• That the Ministry of Energy has been directed to accelerate the pace of its cities and communities lighting programme in order to light up our cities and communities in especially crime-prone areas.
• The security personnel will crack down on citizens using mounted sirens on vehicles illegally.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Personnel drawn from the two security agencies in the region are to be deployed to volatile zones in the region as well as areas susceptible to unlawful activities.

Patrol teams are also to keep surveillance on major roads while a satellite surveillance room connected to CCTV cameras has been stationed at the Regional Police Command to monitor human activities across the region.

Over 200 personnel, who were present at the re-launch, were taught how to use the various technological devices available to the Joint Operation Centre and also taken through an aerobics session as a well a route march to acquaint them with the task ahead.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Volta Regional Commander ACP Asomah Hinneh said the operation would, among other things, “ensure that crimes such as robbery, drug-related offences are brought to their barest minimum” and ensure the safety of law-abiding citizens.

He said the taskforce has been equipped with the needed logistics including vehicles to ensure easy movement and improved response times to crime scenes.

The Regional Commander of the 66 artillery, Major Edward Sarpong Appiah at the event has also commended the government for its support in reactivating exercise.

He said the military would support their police counterparts to curb criminal activities in the region.

He, therefore, called on the people of Volta region to support the exercise by volunteering information that would lead to a crackdown on miscreants in their locality.

President Nana Addo in December last year launched the “Operation Calm Life” to strengthen the security agencies’ efforts in fighting crimes and ensuring peace and security across the country.

The Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Maxwell Blagodzi hs pledged government’s support in ensuring the exercise is carried out smoothly and with the necessary logistics.

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By: King Nobert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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