Interview: Ghana police are prepared to safeguard peaceful polls: Spokesman

The Ghana police are prepared to ensure that the December 7 election passes peacefully without any major incident, Spokesman Superintendent of Police Cephas Arthur has told Xinhua.

According to him, the police have put in place human, logistical and tactical preparations to provide maximum security to prevent any unwanted incidents during the polls.

"We have been ready since some time now; we were in fact prepared for the holding of the election in November so when it was postponed to December, this year, it only gave us enough room to add on to our preparation. So as we speak everything is in place and we are ready to go," Arthur stated.

Arthur disclosed that potential trouble spots would be handled with extra security.

"We have identified a little more than 5,000 flashpoints. We call them hot Spots. They are just places that we think we need to focus more attention on as far as security is concerned." the spokesman said.

He said the police would not act alone as it would have the support of other organizations such as the Ghana Immigration Service, Customs, Prison Service, Fire Service, and even the military who would operate from the remotest stand point.

In addition to security arrangements, the police have also deployed public sensitization which they believe would ensure that the police are not compelled to employ force to maintain law and order during the election.

Meanwhile, Minister for Communications Dr. Edward Omane Boamah has assured the nation that the government would do everything possible to maintain the peace of the country before, during and after the election, assuring that the Internet would not be shut down during the elections.

"President Mahama has given the clearest indication that the internet will not be shut down and I am his appointee in charge of the sector. It will not happen." Endit