As part of the ongoing ‘Operation Calm Life’, the government has also said there will be increased surveillance of financial institutions, including banks, forex bureaus and other microfinance companies.

[contextly_sidebar id=”6yH5Wn4pxbYFoObddG9sbBux5ZHlIAq6″]Speaking after Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia called an emergency meeting with top security officials on Thursday, the Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, said the CCTV cameras will be linked to a national operation command centre.

In the increasing spate of robberies, financial institutions have emerged as consistent targets for robbers.

In the Spintex road area alone, about 20 forex bureaux have been robbed in just 2018.

A Lebanese man was also robbed and killed after he after he had just withdrawn GHc 200,000 from the bank in the Tema Industrial Area.

All these are in addition to the attacks on mobile money vending spots in some major cities which have left a number of fatalities.

Outlining the measures to better protect financial institutions and their patrons, Mr. Hamid said “there will be enhanced surveillance on financial institutions, forex bureaus and money vending points across our cities.”

“Government also directs that all financial institutions take steps to install CCTV camera on their premises. The government will roll out a programme to link all these CCTV cameras to a national operation command centre,” the Information Minister added.

Other moves from government

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

• There will be heavy military and police presence in major cities across the country starting from today [Thursday, March, 1].
• There will be surgical operations in certain areas of the countries based on intelligence to flush out criminals and suspected criminals.
• 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

The post Gov’t orders financial institutions to install CCTV cameras appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Currency that grants just anyone access to certain domains they under normal circumstances, shouldn’t be. Simply put, we are too trusting to a fault. And this will soon result in a fatality that will change our country’s course. But just maybe, this impending fatality is a necessary evil that will bring us back to reality and etch in our minds, the need to be stringent with security.

All this gloomy talk is fueled by several trips I have made to some of the highest public offices which I expected to have impregnable security, only to be greeted with the opposite. Initial impressions of some instances being a one-off were eventually discarded by frequent visits.

For instance, the first time I went to Parliament, I used the back entrance. I was in an Uber. At the gate, this is how my conversation with the uniformed security official ensued;

***Security Official = (SO)***

SO: Yes, Madam, who are you looking for?

Me: I have a meeting with Mr. X.

SO: Who are you?

Me: I’m a journalist with Citi FM.

SO: (nods head and signals gate to be opened.)

As much as I was relieved that he didn’t give me a hard time as I expected, I was as much surprised the ease with which I was granted access to what is supposed to be The House of our lawmakers. The short trip from the entrance to where I alighted got me thinking hard. Trying to come up with answers to why this obviously weak security system was present at parliament.

Besides the fact that I’m gorgeous, I convinced myself that just maybe, I gained easy access because the media house with which I work is considered one of the reputable ones in the country. But still, I consider it very remiss that some form of identification was not required of me. Because what’s proof that I’m indeed a journalist?

Unless there’s a specialized virtual system at the entrance that had already verified that. But that, I doubt.

To more of my disappointment than surprise,  more security lapses were laid bare as I navigated through the rest of the premises. Before entering the Job 600 Block, there’s a security check system to go through, which by the time I had, concluded was USELESS.

There, I had to put my bag through an e-scanner while walking through another. But despite the beeps, I was allowed entry anyway. The security officials were the least interested in further checking why there were beeps; many beeps at that.

Of course, I’m not a psychopath or a terrorist on some sort of death mission. So yes, I didn’t have in my possession any offensive weapons or explosive devices. But the next person could have been and the next second, BOOM! Tragic, sad headlines splattered across the country. Lives and properties lost just because we failed to get it right from the start – by choice.

For you to better understand how lax the security system is at parliament, it may or may not surprise you that I was also able to enter the chamber with no questions asked. Instead,  I was being offered nods of acknowledgement, salutes and smiles!

Then again, I’m gorgeous but so what?! I could have been anyone.

You wouldn’t be reading this piece if the events I’ve just described were just a one-off. The situation persists. It’s an everyday occurrence. My complaints to friends within the media and other circles revealed that my experience was not uncommon. To the extent that one of them narrated how he was able to walk straight to the president’s office without going through the requisite security checks.

But that I cannot speak much to. I wasn’t there.

But this I can say, that we [Ghanaians] as a people, are overly trusting and that will be the death of us. On top of that, as is of human nature, we even unconsciously, tend to judge people by their appearance – a toxic cocktail.

So for instance, I show up at a place a couple of times and by say, the fourth time, the personnel feel they know me and almost always are ever-willing to suspend protocols (including security checks) for me. There’s only as much “human” one can be until it costs us humans – a lot of them.

Parliament is just one instance of many other public offices with disturbingly lax systems. I’ve experienced one too many times but I want to believe staff and parliamentarians are oblivious to this situation by virtue of that fact that they have special passes to access the premises.

So if that’s the case, then this piece is to make them AWARE, subsequently leading to immediate action. I refuse to believe that we await a massive tragedy before tackling the highlighted phenomena.

Private entities should take a cue too.

–

By: Marie-Franz Fordjoe

The post Security at Parliament: Blueprint to a national disaster [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Government has revealed that the money saved from renegotiating the contract for the purchase of some cars for use by the Presidency under the previous administration, was used to procure a hundred cars for the Police Service.

[contextly_sidebar id=”hI7KTb7tkoZ69ri2QPzSLOUFS5fsfwpT”]The Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid, stated that with the risk of a judgement debt hanging over its head, government renegotiated with Amalgamated Securities Limited, purchasing.

Mr. Hamid stated that the remainder was used to purchase 100 Toyota Corollas for the Police Service.

“Government has however made sure to obtain maximum gain for the public purse and also for ensuring the security of the state.We have reduced the number of vehicles ordered from 43 to 34, which is nine short of the original number. In place of the nine, we have acquired 100 Toyota Corolla cars for use by the Police Service in line with our commitment to retool the Police Service to enable them play effectively, their role of protecting the Ghanaian people.We have done all this with a total amount of US$ 8.8 million,” the Information Minister said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Mr. Anning on Eyewitness News however indicated that, this will not resolve the challenges the Police Service face in carrying out their duties.

“Criminals don’t use the asphalted roads, they use the bad roads and will be able to escape from the Toyota Corollas procured for the police. Anyone on bicycle fit to run will be able to outrun this Toyota Corolla and I wonder if there was a conversation between those who matter on the government side and the Ghana Police Service as to what types of vehicle or vehicles they will need.

“100 Toyota Corollas are not fit for purpose. We need the vehicles, but they ought to have been better operationally fitted vehicles. These vehicles are not fit for purpose in terms of operations or the types of operations that the Police Service use vehicles for.”

Ghc800m for police; helicopters, drones in the offing- Nana Addo

His comments comes on the back of President Nana Addo’s announcement of government’s plans to 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.

In his 2018 State of the Nation Address, President Akufo-Addo said the government is committed to resourcing the police with the necessary equipment to ensure that it carries out its mandate of enforcing law and order 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 said.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Toyota cars not suitable for Police Service – Kwesi Anning appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

His comment was in response to the recent attack at the Kwabenya District Police Headquarters which led to the killing of a police officer on duty and the freeing of seven inmates, three of whom have since been rearrested.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Xwx2F5CybUARhhdzJp3bxefKTgOfAzNT”]Following the incident, many have questioned the quality of the country’s security, as the police station in question lacked basic equipment such as Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras.

Aside this latest incident, several other police officers have also lost their lives over the years while in the line of duty.

Speaking on Citi FM’s News Analysis Programme, The Big Issue, Mr. Cudjoe attributed these incidents to logistical challenges, saying the situation has made it impossible for the Police Service to effectively provide security to Ghanaians.

“The Police Service is in such a decrepit state and I am appalled. I do not think we have a proper Police Service. We are suppose to have about 52,000 Police personnel but as we speak we have about 38,000 and this year, they only recruited 4,000. The armory the Police Service has are Second World War type armory,” he said.

Apart from the logistical challenges, Mr. Cudjoe pointed out that another factor that had contributed to the Service’s inefficacy is the unfair treatment of police officers over the years, particularly in relation to remuneration.

“We do not have to belabour the point that the Police Service has not been treated properly. The welfare of the Police is a serious matter. As we speak only 6,200 of them are properly accommodated out of the 38,000 and over so clearly we do not have a service that is befitting to even take care of themselves.”

There have been several robbery incidents in many parts of the country, with constant reports of political vigilantism, over a year after the New Patriotic Party [NPP] came into office.

From 2016 to January 2018, 17 police officers have lost their lives in their line of duty. The total number of police deaths from 2013 to date, is 48.

Alleged NPP thugs ransack Wa MCE’s residence

Between December 2016 and 2017, Citi News recorded over 20 separate cases of political party violence.

A few days ago, some thugs believed to be aligned to the governing New Patriotic Party(NPP) in the Wa municipality of the Upper West Region, ransacked and vandalized the private residence of the Municipal Chief Executive of the area, Issahaku Moomin Tahiru.

The rampaging youth also vandalized the family house of the MCE and two other houses belonging to his supporters.

‘An isolated incident’

On Tuesday, the Information Minister, Mustapha Hamid assured that persons involved in the Kwabenya incident will be arrested to face the law.

“First of all, government condemns the criminal conduct of these elements in the strongest possible terms. There is a manhunt for these criminal elements and we have no doubts in our minds that they will be brought to face justice.

“While this is one of the isolated incidents that have unsettled the Ghanaian population, we wish to continue to assure the Ghanaian people that the security agencies are working to ensure the general safety of the population. The preventive mechanism of the Police Service remains intact which helps to nip such occurrences in the bud before they become full blown criminal activities.”

‘Ghana remains secure’

The Interior Minister also assured that government had not lost control over the security situation in the country despite the recent attacks.

“There are challenges with our security and we will deal with it. Has government lost control over security ?No. Can we do better? Yes…And we are going to work together to deal with the issue” he said.

Mr. Dery said government will apprehend suspects involved in the Kwabenya incident, saying “the Police are on top of it. They are investigating it. They are making progress. We believe we will get back the people who have perpetrated it and we will deal with it.”

“I believe we need to confront the situation. How can we make it better. We have to work together and see how several ministries can come together. We need to deal with it. We have to get a sustainable way of dealing with it,” he added.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post Police too under-resourced to provide adequate security – IMANI Boss appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, 50 other areas are likely to become havens of crime in the next four years if the country’s security agencies do not take urgent steps to arrest the situation.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ryB7mrcHU3UTC4zSVHsqlCmzJ3v6d4W4″]Armed robbery and the phenomenon of land guards terrorizing residents have worsened in various areas on the outskirts of Accra, with Kasoa in the Central recording more cases.

Dr. Aning said Ghana’s ballooning population and unplanned urban growth are a recipe for disaster in the area of security.

“In 4 years time, there will be 50 Kasoas in this country. We don’t want to think about the demographics. In 2063, we will be 70 million in this country. It will lead to massive urbanization, unplanned urban spaces, and it will have an impact on law enforcement. We ought to have at least 60,000 police officers now, but we now have 33,000. We don’t have enough,” he said.

“Kasoa is representative of the demographic plus urban challenge that this country is going to face. It is a transient town, nobody knows anyone, and therefore the murders that we are seeing will escalate by 31st December this year….Kasoa represents small arms, narcotics, poor policing and unplanned urbanization.”

Speaking at the third in a series of Accra Dialogue on “The Scars of Vigilantism: a legal or political question?” at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration Law Faculty on Wednesday, Dr. Aning also accused the Inspector General of Police and the police hierarchy of failing in their mandate to deal decisively with the menace of land guards even though his outfit has offered to support it.

The event was organized by the Institute of Law and Public Affairs in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor & Caleb Kudah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kasoa, 50 other crime hotspots to emerge by 2021 – Aning appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

On a number of occasions, countries across the globe have had cause to warn, and continue to warn their citizens against imminent terror attacks. The latest caution was the alerts by the United Kingdom and Canada in August 2017.  Not long after their alerts to citizens, terrorists struck in Burkina Faso, Ghana’s northern neighbour.

So far, no terror attack has occurred in Ghana.  The fake news of a terrorist attack at the Accra Mall, however puts Ghana’s emergency response plan/measures, if any, under the spotlight and a number of questions are begging for swift answers.

• Does Ghana have any specialised unit or force that will respond to a terror attack in any part of the country?

• If there is such a force or unit, have members received the requisite training on anti-terror operations?

• Is the unit or force adequately equipped to respond to a terror attack of any kind or it is also plagued with the same set of known logistical and resource challenges facing Ghana’s traditional security institutions?

• Where is the unit or force located?

• Is the unit or force part of the regular military, the police service or a separate entity on its own?

• How is the unit or force, if existent, funded?

• How will the unit or force have air transport capabilities  (Ability for a unit/force to be deployed by air) in view of serious challenges such as terrible road networks in many parts of the country, crippling traffic jams, poor response time, etc.

It is safe to say that Ghana is a country blessed with human and natural resources. The country, therefore, has so much potential to make huge strides in economy.  However, a single terror threat or attack can hugely affect the country’s economic progress. It will further shake investor confidence in Ghana.

The question to ask now is; Are our policy makers interested in protecting the country, and placing us on a path of unparalleled economic growth?

It must be pointed out that human security plays a key role in the growth of any economy. I will, however, not stray into explaining the technicalities involved. All I am tryingto ask is, are we prepared as a country to handle any unfortunate situation?

Let’s take for instance the recent Atomic Junction Gas explosion, which has claimed 7 lives so far, and injured some 132 people. From my perspective, two questions arise out of that tragedy. Firstly, did our emergency service providers respond adequately and in good time to the tragedy? Secondly, what existing safety protocols were deployed on the day to save lives? Answers to both questions, are what my friend, Ataa Gbeii, often responds to by shouting I don’t know.

In all honesty, I hold the view that our emergency services are not in the right shape to adequately handle massive disasters or emergency situations. Is it not odd that a day after the recent gas explosion, the 37 Military Hospital, a UN-certified medical facility, was asking for basic medical supplies to help treat fire victims who were rushed there from the scene of the incident?

Days later, I heard a medical officer from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana’s premier medical facility, lamenting “we don’t as a nation have a well-equipped facility to deal with disasters resulting from LPG.”

Also, in the aftermath of the explosion, people had virtually no safety protocols to observe in order to save lives; i.e. how to flee to safety. Even students from University of Ghana, whose residence were close, were seen running helter-skelter, resulting in avoidable injuries.

According to reports, speeding vehicles driven by panic-stricken drivers ran over a number of people fleeing from the scene of the disaster, resulting in injuries. If Ghana had robust safety protocols perhaps, the injuries and deaths recorded would have been fewer.

Some two weeks after the Atomic Junction LPG explosion, I have still not heard from the relevant security agencies as to how they intend educating the public on how to effectively respond to such emergencies in the future. The most sickening truth about the recent disaster is that police officers, with little or no education in emergency care and disaster management, were the first respondents. I only have two questions for whoever cares to read from the nation’s security apparatus:

1. Is the Police Service well-resourced to deal with these challenges?

2. Is there any structured training module for them on how to engage the general public in dealing with same?

While I wait for appropriate answers, I shudder to think of what the consequences would have been if there was massive terror attack on Ghana.

It is a pathetic fact that the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has been reduced to respondents who carry rice and oil to disaster scenes. How shocking!!!

While we consider these critical issues, let those at the helm of affairs know that the security threats to the country are many and varied and that we have gone past conventional security threats. We therefore have to act appropriately.

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By: Richard Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Can Ghana’s emergency response handle terror attack? [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Scores of military and police personnel left Tamale today (Wednesday) for Bimbilla, to augment the operations of the team there.

This is to avert any untoward situation in the area following the upcoming burial of the late chief.

[contextly_sidebar id=”20r0dq9TH09tyOWZFK8zVE108nn2qLfN”]The late Nakpaa-Naa Salifu Dawuni died on 5th March 2014, and his remains have been deposited at the Yendi hospital morgue.

The REGSEC in consultation with the Nanumba North District Security Committee (DISEC), has finally given the late chief’s family the right to bury him at his private residence in Bimbila.

Chairman of the REGSEC, Salifu Sa-eed, in a Citi News interview pleaded with both sides of the chieftaincy divide to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies.

He emphasized the need for all stakeholders and residents of Bimbila, to exercise maximum restraint before, during and after the burial.

He reassured residents of Nanung of government’s neutrality in handling the Bimbila chieftaincy dispute.

Meanwhile, a statement signed by Bakpab Naa Nantogmmah Adam, on behalf of the Dasana family, warned that they will resist any attempt to bury the late Nakpa-Naa Salifu Dawuni as overlord of Bimbila.

“Nakpaa-Naa Salifu Dawuni died as a Nakpaa-Naa, hence should be buried as Nakpaa-Naa and not Bimbila Naa.”

“We recalled that the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo in his recent visit to some parts of the Northern Region, indicated that his government will not interfere in any chieftaincy matters,

“He even warned that he the President will not hesitate to sanction any of his appointees who meddles in any chieftaincy issues, we pause here to ask whether Bimbila chieftaincy crisis is part of the chieftaincy issues that His Excellency was talking about?”

“We suspect strongly that some politicians in Nanung are behind these evil plans to forcefully bury the late Nakpaa-Naa Salifu Dawuni in Bimbila against the norms and customs of the traditional area.

“We are appealing to President Akufo Addo. Please walk your talk by bringing such politicians to book before they turn the entire Nanung into chaos.”

Below is the REGSEC’s official statement:

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post REGSEC beefs up Bimbilla security ahead of late chief’s burial appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Mr. Apea Fenteng was arrested by police yesterday [Monday], for allegedly extorting monies from traders and aiding them to smuggle goods from Togo into the country. He was said to have been picked up by the police at Tsito were he was escorting a vehicle loaded with goods that had not been taxed to Accra.

Although National Security operatives per the rules of their engagement do not speak publicly to such matters, Mr. Apea Fenteng told Citi News that the nature of the allegations borders on his integrity and image, hence the need for him to speak out.

In an exclusive interview with Citi News, the Regional Security Coordinator who was released after few hours of interrogation, said the false claims are part of a grand scheme by his detractors to frustrate him in the discharge of his duties as required by law.

According to him, since he assumed his duties as the Regional National Security Coordinator, he has refused to compromise on dealings that seek to rob the state of its deserved revenue, and this he said has created some disaffection between him and dubious businessmen including some prominent personalities in the region.

Recounting the most recent event that led to his arrest, Mr. Apea said he has declined directives from some prominent persons to allow some traders evade tax, and while ensuring due diligence is adhered to, he was rather held up in the process.

I was never sacked from police service, I resigned

Responding to claims that he was sacked as an officer of the Ghana Police Service over an alleged robbery case, Mr. Apea challenged those making the claims to provide proof or face legal action.

He explained that he voluntarily left the service after several failed attempts to grant him a study leave to further his education.

Mr. Apea has asked the general public to ignore any such claims against his person or his work at a security coordinator of the Volta Region.

He has reiterated his mandate to collaborate with the various security agencies in the region to keep surveillance at the country’s eastern frontiers and ensure the country’s income generating sources are not short-changed.
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By: King Norbert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post V/R Security Coordinator denies extorting money; aiding smuggling appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“He had every right to put in place additional measures to enhance his own personal safety and security, there is nothing wrong with that,” Agalga said.

[contextly_sidebar id=”euzq0HyBV22lY4YuNbQWvUFZeMiopDri”]Inusah Fuseini has been heavily criticized after he claimed that the device intercepted in the current Minister’s office, Peter Amewu, was fixed by him to boost his own security during his fight against illegal mining at the time.

However many have questioned why he left the device there after he was reassigned.

Inusah Fuseini also disclosed that, the device was not functional because he didn’t complete the installation process, but that some persons including the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, took a swipe at him for not removing the device.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Agalga dispelled suggestions that the Mahama government failed to provide adequate security for its ministers, which compelled Inusah Fuseini to beef up his own security.

He insisted that “the security of ministers was well catered for.”

“Every minister of state under President Mahama had personal security. Bodyguards were attached to all the ministers. They were also given home security; they had guards deployed to their private residencies. And so if ministers found it necessary to introduce additional measures for additional security cover and protection, I’m saying that there is nothing wrong with that.”

I also have gadgets installed to boost my security

Mr. Agalga, who is currently the ranking member on the defense and interior committee of Parliament, and MP for Builsa North, said he at a time also purchased some gadgets to boost his own security.

He however failed to disclose where the gadgets were installed.

“There were gadgets I purchased them out of curiosity and I used some of them on my own accord. That by no stretch of imagination can be interpreted to mean that security was lax and that is why I decided to purchase some of those security gadgets on my own accord and use them. They were additional measures that nobody could prevent the other from using.The government of President Mahama was on top of security in this country,” he added.

I feel ‘naked’ after discovery of spying device – Nii Osah Mills

Meanwhile, the immediate past Lands and Natural Resources Minister under the NDC, Nii Osah Mills, has expressed shock and disappointment over the discovery of a secret audio visual recording device in the office he previously occupied.

According to him, the revelation by his colleague, Inusah Fuseini, who said he fixed in the office for his personal use, is unfair because he [Osah Mills] has apparently been under secret surveillance while in office.

–

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

The post Nothing wrong with Fusieni’s spying device – Agalga appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The personnel will be situated at some public centers and security installations to guarantee public safety and security.

Speaking to Citi News, the Public Relations Officer of the Accra Regional Police Command, ASP Effia Tenge, said enough preparations have been made to ensure public safety.

“The Police is concerned about security at festivities of this nature and as such we have drawn up security strategies to handle the festivities. Talking about police presence, we have deployed, per our strategy, police personnel to certain areas that we feel need police attention. Some vital installations that we believe we need to provide security for would have it.”

“Churches where we have a lot of religious people going about their religious activities; conventions and all, we also have to look at the gathering places especially the malls, entertainment centers; we are joining our forces with military.”

The Easter festivities every year has been characterized by pockets of incidents in various parts of the country especially at Kwahu in the Eastern Region, where various activities are held to celebrate the season.

But the police have given assurances this year that it will ensure that such incidents are averted.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Military, Police to maintain order during Easter festivities appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.