The National Election Security Task Force (NESTF) has set up an Election Security Task Force to firm up security arrangements ahead of the upcoming district assembly elections slated for December 19, 2023.
According to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, Head of the NESTF, the decision to institute the Election Security Task Force was made in consultation with the heads of other security agencies in the country.
Dr Dampare announced this at a meeting held at the Police Headquarters yesterday.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss security measures that could be put in place to ensure a peaceful district assembly election which part was held behind closed doors.
The IGP also seized the opportunity to thank the heads of other security agencies for collaborating with the Ghana Police Service (GSP) in ensuring peaceful elections.
He further assured of the readiness of the GPS to ensure that every election conducted at every level was peaceful.
For his part, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Vice Admiral Seth Amoama, noted that it was important for security personnel to stand up and distinguish themselves during elections by discharging their duties fairly and firmly to the expectation of the citizenry and the international community.
Although it may not be in the front of the election duties, the Ghana Armed Forces, Vice Admiral Amoama indicated would provide the GPS with the needed support before, during and after the district assembly elections.
In her remarks, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa, underscored the need to take elections seriously based on pastexperiences.
According to her, the predetermined and well-orchestrated strategies to unleash violence before, during and after elections the abuse of social media to disseminate fake news about elections remained a challenge that needed to be addressed.
Such challenges, she said, undermined the credibility and integrity of the electoral process and posed a threat to the country’s security.
She therefore urged the Cyber security wing of the GPS to be up to the task in dealing with the issue accordingly.
The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Mr Kwame Asuah Takyi said the protection of the country’s security was a collective responsibility and therefore implored the citizenry to support the security services in that regard.
Mr Julius A. Kuunuor, Chief Fire Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) said “we have already sent out our operational instructions. Our personal are back from leave because of what is at hand. We want to assure you of our support.”
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY & PRECIOUS NYARKO BOAKYE
