Ghana Police’s operational capacity, safety, and deterrence power are set for a significant boost as the government delivers 40 new armoured vehicles.

In a handing-over ceremony held at the Ghana Police Headquarters in Accra on Thursday, December 4, President Mahama, in his speech, commended the police for their hard work and efforts in bringing criminals to book, citing their resolve in tackling several cases of murder, armed robberies and other crimes in the country.

He said, “And you have dealt with them, people who robbed banks and attacked people’s residences.

You have chalked up many victories in bringing them to justice. Let me commend the CID, too.

In the past, there were many unsolved murders. I’m happy to note that recently, many of the murders that occurred have been resolved. With good police intelligence, you’ve been able to bring the suspects to book”

He noted that the 40 armoured vehicles given to the Service are only the first of many his government will hand over to the law enforcement agency, adding that two tow trucks and patrol pickups will also be supplied to police districts.

“These 40 vehicles are just the first batch of what you will be receiving.

By the end of this month, you will receive two tow trucks so that anytime any of these vehicles becomes immobilised anywhere, you can pick it up and bring it back to base. You will also get 10 covert operational vehicles, which I have been cautioned not to talk about. It is only you who will know you have them. In addition, we want to give every police district a normal pickup for patrol duties”, the President said.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohunu, in an acceptance speech, assured the president that with vehicles, his outfit will tear down any criminal syndicate and launch a “robust and targeted operation throughout the country”.

“Your Excellency, these vehicles are going to completely change the face and dynamics of police operations. With these vehicles, we are going to launch very bold, robust, and targeted operations throughout the country. We will dismantle any existing criminal networks, most of whom have gone into hiding due to our intensified activities against them”, he noted.

He also sent a warning to individuals threatening national security, declaring that the Police Service will relentlessly pursue and apprehend anyone involved in criminal activities.

“Let me use this opportunity to send a strong word of caution to persons who have decided to threaten the security of this country: we are coming for you. You can run all you want and hide wherever you wish, but we will surely get you,” taunting the police service’s achievements so far under his leadership.

“We have made several breakthroughs. In addition to numerous robbery attempts that have been foiled through sustained intelligence operations, we have successfully arrested suspects who operated under the illusion that they could get away with crime. These include the suspect behind the rural bank robberies, the robbery of the Radiance Filling Station, the robbery at Enfasatia, attacks on mobile vendors, the Wire and Bullet serial murders, vehicle theft syndicates, and perpetrators behind fake online food-delivery platforms”.

IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohunu, also assured that the vehicles would be strategically deployed and properly maintained to achieve their intended objectives, commending the government for its intervention.

“We wish to sincerely express our profound gratitude to the government for thinking about us and prioritising our welfare. Our assurance to you is that the vehicles will be well-maintained and strategically deployed to achieve the intended objectives,” he said.

The event also saw the presence of Interior Minister Muntaka Mubarak and numerous senior police officers, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies.

The Interior Minister, speaking at the commissioning, also mentioned that the enhanced security capacity of security services in ythe country should block all chances of criminal networks from operating and doing so effectively.

“Your time is up. The state is prepared. The police are prepared. The tools are ready. The intelligence is improving. And the public is increasingly vigilant.”

He said that security agencies will deal decisively with those involved in violent and organised crime. “Whether it is armed robbery, banditry, illegal mining, violence, trafficking, kidnapping, gang activities or terrorism, know that we will find you, we will stop you, and you will face the full force of the law” adding that Ghana, being described as a peaceful country, doesn’t mean it is defenceless.

“Ghana is a peaceful nation, but we are not defenceless.”

The Minister explained that the new armoured vehicles would be deployed based on crime data and operational needs. He said the Interior Ministry will work closely with the Police Administration to ensure the vehicles are used effectively.

“Some will support high crime zones, others will reinforce highway patrol, others will be integrated into rapid response teams and special operations. Deployment will be guided by intelligence, operational need and proper chain of command,” he said.

He also highlighted the shift towards a more technology-driven policing model, supported by a new real-time crime centre being developed under the Inspector-General of Police.

“We are moving towards a policing model that is predictive, data-driven and technology-enabled. In this new era, crime will be confronted not only with courage, but with smart intelligence and modern tools.”