Police in Full Control-Top Police Officer assures public

Story: Mary Mensah
THE Police Administration has assured the public that it is on top of the security situation in the country, spite of the several instances of violent clashes between supporters of the two main political parties in parts of Accra and other places.
It said the police would do everything possible to ensure that the isolated cases of violence did not degenerate into widespread conflict.
The Director-General of Police Operations, Commissioner of Police (COP) Mr John Kudalor, who gave the assurance, said the security measures put in place for the elections were still in full force and that security personnel were also firmly on the ground.
According to Mr Kudalor, the security plan which was put in place for the management of the elections was in three phases, noting that the first two phases had been implemented, while the last phase, expected to take care of post-election eventualities, would be extended beyond the Christmas festivities and the inauguration of the president-elect and thereafter.
He said throughout the country, reports reaching the headquarters indicated that the situation was relatively calm in all the regions, except the national capital and  the Bekwai area where a man had alleged been wounded.
Mr Kudalor said concerning the incident which occurred at the Makola Market in Accra, the police received reports on some clashes there and quickly responded to bring the situation under control
He said people should not be alarmed at what was happening because the security agencies were in control, adding that normal and foot patrols had been intensified throughout the country to nip any violence in the bud.
He said the meeting between security chiefs and the chairmen of the two leading parties should send a signal to their supporters to listen to them to avoid any problem.
“There is no cause for alarm. We have regrettably and unfortunately recorded a few incidents, though, but it isn’t a situation that calls for throwing hands in the air in despair,” he stated.
“People should not be alarmed at what is happening; the security agencies are in control. We shouldn’t let the public feel that the situation has degenerated, as the media make it look or sound,” he explained.
According to Mr Kudalor, at worst, the appropriate measures would be employed to ensure peace and security in the country.
He advised supporters of the two parties to stay out of the streets and remain calm.
Meanwhile, the Metro Security Committee (MESEC) of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has added its voice to the assurances by the police to ensure the safety of all residents in the capital.
The assurance comes in the wake of recent disturbances at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and the Makola Market, both busy commercial centres in the city.
Addressing the media after hours of a closed-door emergency meeting between the police and MESEC, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, Dr Alfred Vanderpuye, said, “The police are in readiness to protect every individual going about his or her legitimate duties.”
He expressed concern over the rising tension and pockets of criminal activities, including murders and stabbing of innocent residents, following the declaration of the results of the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections.
An attack on some traders at the Kantamanto Market brought about confusion in the central business district of the metropolis on Thursday, December 13, 2012.
As part of measures to curtail the increasing tension fueled by political rivalry, Dr Vanderpuye said, “All political parties are advised to restrain their supporters from taking the law into their own hands and visiting violence on innocent residents.”
He advised residents to report to the police any group of persons whom they suspected were organising themselves to attack anybody or call 18555 or 191 or 03022773906.