Director in charge of Public Affairs at the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Kwesi Ofori, has indicated that his outfit is ready to provide security for the upcoming Ghana-Nigeria World Cup play-off to ensure an incident-free event takes place.
The Public Affairs Director speaking about the security measures put in place for the match stated that, the Service is confident it can deliver on its promise to ensure safety for the 40,000 spectators expected at the stadium. He averred that the Police Service has put a grand security operation strategy in place and will follow it to the letter and even upgrade when necessary.
“I can assure you that quite a huge number of Policemen and women will be deployed within the stadium, outside and also the Kumasi township. We will be working closely with all Ghanaians to make sure that we experience an incident-free event.”
DCOP Kwesi Ofori
In addition to the laid down plans, DCOP Kwesi Ofori noted that the Police troops will also take responsibility of patrolling routes leading to the stadium. He advised Nigerians and Ghanaians to restrain themselves from violent acts regardless of the outcome of the match.
Touching on the number of personnel to be deployed, he intimated that there will be lots of them on ground. He added that the Accra Police Directorate will also be contributing to the special troops to the place.
“We will have other regions like Bono East, Bono and Cape Coast amongst others. Security-wise, it is not advisable to give the number but I can assure you that the number is so huge that we will dominate in Kumasi.”
DCOP Kwesi Ofori
Patrolling in all parts of the region
According to DCOP Kwesi Ofori, the Service has put another strategy in place that in all the cities, towns and villages in the region, the local police will also be patrolling. He explained that the match is such that the region will have different nationalities coming to watch as such, care must be taken. “So the Police will be out there to register their presence and make sure that Police authority prevails everywhere.”
Touching on the Police Service’s cooperation with the Nigerian security, DCOP Kwesi Ofori averred that a lot of meetings have taken place with the Nigerian security at the highest level. He noted that the engagement had most of the officers participating and disclosed that the Football Association of both countries have also met with the security officials. “A whole lot has taken place and we believe that things are on the right track.”
According to the Public Affairs Director, the Police Service is using the local television and radio stations to appeal to the residents that the upcoming patrolling might inconvenience them and they must bear with the process. He stated that a good atmosphere will be created for human movement and that of vehicles as well.
“We also know that during such events, criminals might want to take advantage and we have put patrols and all kinds of vehicular passes to make sure that we are able to put to stop any criminal activity that might come up. On the highways also, we might be there to provide safe movement.”
DCOP Kwesi Ofori
The DCOP revealed that air coverage has been factored in the security operations whereby drones will be used in this regard. He mentioned that the Police Service will also engage in media related activities to ensure that every activity there is captured.
“The K-9 will also be placed far away from the place to make sure that any violence would be dealt with. We will still continue to talk to the Blackstars and Super Eagle fans to live within the law.”
DCOP Kwesi Ofori
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