In 2017, I shall knock on the doors of like minded policemen and women for us to champion a course to fight for the wellbeing of every police officer by ensuring that regulations and laws that are made to enhance the conditions of service of all personnel are followed to the latter.
I shall revisit my pet project of ensuring that the C. I.76 is used to the full benefit of all police personnel by writing more and asking the right questions.
In effect, I shall try to accomplish the uncompleted business of making sure that not only punitive portions of the C. I.76 are applied against officers but also those relating to renumeration, accommodation, transport, academic progression via study leave, accoutrements, duty hours and so on, are also applied to the benefit of all personnel.
To ensure that these resolutions realistic and achievable, I shall apply the SMART management model consultation with all the officers who will be coming on board with me on the journey to ensuring that members of the Ghana Police Service get what they are due according to the regulations governing the service and also the supreme law of the land – the constitution.
This dream, my dream, your dream, shall not be woven in the air, neither will it be just another talk shop. It shall be swift, sharp and fast in identifying the everyday problems, policies and operational procedures that does not enure to the benefit and wellbeing of the ordinary police officer.
Every step of the way, we shall monitor progress of this resolution aimed at getting the best deal for our service even if it means writing memoranda to the police administration and the political authorities including the executive and parliament for them to contribute their quota to make the service not only the best on the continent but also on the global front.
Although I do not drink anything except water, I shall embark on a campaign to get many police personnel who drink to quit drinking, quit smoking and all forms of an addiction including womanising and seeing the police uniform as an enabler when it comes to approaching women.
There are too many drunkards, womanisers and smokers donning the police uniform.
I shall attempt to drum home the need for all personnel of the service to quit all addictions because it will not take them anywhere.
I shall get back to the classroom to take up a masters degree or at least a post graduate diploma and also encourage all personnel to take up one course or the to add value to themselves to enrich the knowledge base of the service and improve performance.
It is often said that learning has no age and there is no end to education. It is always good to pick up where you left off or start a fresh.
I shall encourage all personnel to exercise and stay in good form and fitness always for healthy life and total wellbeing.
By so doing they will secure a future with fewer trips to see the doctors and nurses at the police hospital and to those of us not close to the police hospital, we will save more by avoiding the regional hospitals and clinics where we work.
I shall encourage all personnel to learn new skills by taking advantage of every single course that will be organised either at the regional or national level to learn something new.
I shall entreat all personnel to eat healthy always and to always think before they put any morsel in your mouth either on operations, peace keeping missions or at their various stations, districts, divisions and regions.
I shall borrow less and save more and encourage all personnel to follow suit by paying off any debt they may have incurred.
If possible avoid double loans. At worst you can do with only welfare loan. Spend less and save more.
Together with other personnel, we shall work to reduce stress levels of policemen and women by ensuring that the eight hours of work as stated in the C. I.76 duly followed.
This sounds easier than it actually is, but is achievable if we discourage our various commanders and station officers avoid imposing too many unending exigencies on us.
I pray the deaths of personnel are reduced to zero but should any occur and I am required to contribute for the upkeep of the wife and children of a departed colleague. It is always good to give back to the society especially if it has to be the family of a fallen comrade.
It is a great privilege to be a police officer so I will treasure every moment of my life as a police officer.
I shall liven up my lifestyle and make myself appealing to members of the public and also make the police service very enviable in eyes of all Ghanaians.
I shall do my part and I urge all policemen and women to do their part.
Organization and tactful approach to work shall form the new me in the next year and it is my vision to see this in all personnel of the service.
I shall encourage as many policemen and women as possible to adopt one or two pet projects even if they have to start small as we match forward to demand our due according to law is respected.
In the new year, we must all unleash the angels in us to help us desist from the malfeasance and practices that bring the name of the service into dispute.
Nothing feels better than seeing a smile on someone. I shall do my best to stand by people who need my support either in the charge office, on the street or in the courts.
No help is too small or too big. Every little help matters.
The computer age is here with us and all personnel young and old must ensure they get a gadgets to stay in touch. I shall be reminding colleagues from time to time.
In this day and age when social media is the quickest way to send and receive information, you cannot do without it and say you don’t know how to use it. Get a gadget and we the young ones will teach you the how and the inns and out.
I shall have a positive approach to life and policing as well. My doors will be opened even more.
Speaking of my mind will increase exponentially in the coming year. I am too vocal to be silent. Where I am from, cowardice is a crime and fear is a word we hear in far away villages.
I shall endeavour to learn a new language to enhance my work and the language may include an international language probably French and the native language of wherever I will find myself to be working.
I shall work very very hard to enrich my my vocabulary and communication skills in preparation for something big in the service in the near future.
It is my ambition to help many policemen and women overcome the fear or mental blocks that prevents them to stand up and be counted and to fight for their rights.
I shall encourage all personnel to at all times be sincere about punctuality to duties and operational commitments and desist from feigning sickness when duty calls.
Together in 2017, we shall rewrite the narrative and challenge the status quo.
See you in 2017 and beyond by the grace of God for us to continue to protecting lives and property of our people.