POLICE TO GET MODERN NARCOTICS EXHIBITS STORE (Spread Lead)

06/05/2008
Story: Mary Mensah
The United States Embassy in Ghana has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Police Service for the construction of a $500,000 modern narcotic exhibits store at the Police Headquarters to assist the police to keep proper records of all exhibits.
The one-storey block, which will be situated behind the CID Headquarters in Accra, is expected to house the narcotic exhibit store, an armoury, a computer centre and offices.
The Deputy Head of the US Mission in Ghana, Ms Sue Brown, signed for the US Embassy, while the Director-General in Charge of Services, Commissioner of Police (COP) Yaw Adu Gyimah, signed for the Ghana Police Service.
In an address, Ms Brown said the MoU would further strengthen the already significant law enforcement co-operation between the US government and Ghana, which would help build Ghana’s capacity to combat criminal activities, including the growing problem of narcotics trafficking.
She said the project, a joint effort among the US Africa Command, the US Mission in Accra and the Ghana Police Service, would also offer training to police personnel who would manage the store.
The Deputy Ambassador said a capable and professional law enforcement service was critical to maintaining a stable democracy that was free from criminal elements and to support a government that could respond to and serve the legitimate aspirations of the people of Ghana.
”Criminal activity in this globalised world has increasingly taken on an international face. 419 scams, human and narcotic trafficking are just three examples of crimes that cross borders,” the Deputy Ambassador said.
Ms Brown indicated that without active, meaningful and sincere co-operation between stakeholders and developing countries, “we are seriously hampered in apprehending criminals and bringing them to justice”.
She said in that respect, Ghana had been a good partner with the US, but added that if transnational crimes were to be combated effectively, there was the need for Ghana to do more, adding that that required complete commitment at all levels of government, from the policeman on the street to the political leadership.
She was confident that the construction of the evidence storage facility would assist the police to prepare cases which were more likely to lead to convictions.
COP Adu Gyimah expressed the administration’s appreciation to the US Embassy for the quick response to its request for help.
He said since 2005, it had been the intention of the Police Administration to get a fortified exhibit store where security arrangement would make all manner of exhibits safe.
He said the Police Service attempted to construct the facility but the project grounded to a halt as a result of the lack of funds, prompting the IGP to approach the US Embassy for assistance.
COP Adu Gyimah said the Embassy agreed in principle to finance the construction of the whole project and offer training to those who would man the store.
As a result, the director-general said, the old structure would be demolished. He assured the Embassy that the police would take good care of the project when completed.