In a time when the Police have come under pressure to perform in the wake of lawlessness from political vigilante groups, the clamp down on galamsey, pockets of ethnic clashes reported in parts of the country among others, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has been tasked to be firm, fair and objective in the discharge of his duties.
This was contained in a sermon at the Ghana Police Church in Accra in a ceremony to officially induct the IGP, David Asante-Apeatu into office.
Asante-Apeatu is the 24th IGP, indigenous Head of the Ghana Police Service, appointed by President Akufo-Addo on January 25th 2017.
According to Very Rev. Fr. ACP George Arthur, who delivered the sermon, the appointment has come at a time when real leadership was needed in the Service to address the challenges the country is facing.
“You have come at a time when the galamsey and Delta Force occupy the front pages of almost all print media of the country and topics for discussion. Your ‘IGPship’ has come at a time when police stations are being vandalised and officers being brutalised by members of the public. Your ‘IGPship’ has come at a time when Politicians continuously tarnish the reputation n dignity of others for no reason your ‘IGPship’ has come at a time when some tribal and ethnic conflicts has erupted in some parts of the country, your ‘IGPship’ has come at a time when some university students are staging riots; at a time when university students and school children are alleged to have committed suicide.”
“This is the era in which you have been appointed by the leader of the nation to lead the Ghana Police Service. There is a lot of assignment ahead of you. The IGP is a high security authority in Ghana, every leader should be a shepherd to his or her followers.”
He advised the IGP to pay attention to some key pointers that are likely to make him succeed and form a legacy that will not be forgotten.
“You will live an indelible mark if you pay attention to the following: the maintenance of peace in our nation, the welfare and discipline of Police Officers, enlistment of Police trainees, stream lining the policy of promotion of men and women of the Service”
The IGP was also encouraged to be resolute and firm on his decisions and the implementation of his ideas devoid of external influence and controls.
“As the IGP, you are accountable first and foremost to God, secondly to this nation and thirdly to officers of the Ghana Police Service. This calls for firmness and fairness. You will fail if you came to please any human being instead of pleasing God who chose you and appointed you”.
“Objective and fair decisions are always a worry to the crooked mind. Leadership begins with us first and I urge you to be firm about your goals and flexible about your methods”
Until his appointment, COP Asante Apeatu was the head of the General ICT Department at the Police Headquarters as well as the head of the Marine Police.
He was formerly Director General in charge of Research, and former Director General of the Police CID.
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