Kpandai Assembly to boost police infrastructure to enhance security.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Kpandai, Haruna Abdul-Karim, has hinted at the establishment of additional police stations and posts in hard-to-reach communities to improve security coverage and emergency response across the district.
According to the DCE, inadequate police infrastructure and the long distances between communities, coupled with the deplorable state of roads, continue to pose major security challenges in the area.
Mr Abdul-Karim noted that Kpandai is predominantly an agricultural district, where disputes over farmlands and chieftaincy-related disturbances frequently arise, stressing that the establishment of more security posts and the deployment of additional personnel would help ensure a timely response to incidents.
“We have witnessed pockets of land-related disputes and violence, which sometimes escalate into conflicts and attacks. Increased security presence can help prevent and contain such incidents,” he said.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic in response to concerns raised by residents over limited police visibility and delayed responses to incidents, Mr Abdul-Karim disclosed that the district assembly was considering the establishment of police posts in strategic communities, including Kumdi, Kabonwule, Lonto-Kpajai, and Gulubi-Quarters.
“Kpandai has communities that are far apart, making it difficult for security personnel to respond quickly to incidents and deliver services effectively,” he stated.
Limited presence
Mr Abdul-Karim noted that due to the limited security presence, police officers often rely on assembly members and traditional authorities to manage security-related cases before personnel arrive at the scene.
He, therefore, appealed to the Ministry of the Interior and the Ghana Police Service, led by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), to deploy more personnel and support the construction of additional police infrastructure in the district.
He also appealed to faith-based organisations, philanthropists, corporate institutions, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to assist in the construction of modern police stations in the district.
Abandoned projects
Touching on the abandoned District Police Headquarters and Ghana National Fire Service station projects, Mr Abdul-Karim said the assembly had begun furnishing and equipping the facilities to enable operations to commence soon.
He added that personnel had already been deployed to the fire station, while efforts were underway to secure accommodation for the district fire commander.
Mr Abdul-Karim further urged residents to cooperate with security agencies to maintain peace in the district, stressing that development could only thrive in a peaceful environment.
Safety concerns
The Assembly Member for Gulubi Electoral Area, Daniel Ntesil Mbamoen, thanked the DCE and the assembly for heeding calls for additional police stations and posts to improve access to security services and address growing safety concerns.
According to him, the vast nature of the district, especially western Kpandai, coupled with a bad road network, inadequate security infrastructure and personnel, has made access to policing services difficult, particularly in remote communities.
“We feel cut off. When something happens, getting help is not easy. Sometimes we are forced to handle situations on our own,” Daniel Ntesil said.
Residents also warned that the lack of adequate security infrastructure could contribute to the proliferation of illicit firearms and worsen communal and land disputes if police presence is not strengthened.
