Mr Paul Manly Awuni, Commissioner of Police (COP), and the Director of the National Police Patrol Unit, has established the importance of peace in the African subregions. He thus noted that peace and security are prerequisites for the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
COP Paul Manly Awuni noted that the Police Service is collaborating with sister security agencies to facilitate intra-African trade and boost economic activities under the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. He added that the Service has formulated comprehensive operational policies to ensure the smooth operationalization of the AfCFTA.
The Commissioner of Police made this known on the third day of the 74th Annual New Year School and Conference in Accra. Speaking on the topic: “Governance, Peace, and Security Preparedness of AfCFTA,” COP Awuni indicated the Service has engaged the community in developing operational strategies for mutual benefit.
The Service, Mr Awuni stated has resolved to enforce the law without fear, favour, or influence. He said the leadership of the Police Service issued a stern warning to all Commanders to enforce the law to the fullest, irrespective of who is involved.
To this end, Mr. Awuni disclosed that the service has formulated and implemented nine-action point initiatives, community engagement, leveraging technology to fight crime, police personnel fighting crime with commitment and dedication, dealing with indiscipline and carnage on the road, and serving with respect for the public.
COP Awuni stated that the Service is poised to fight crime with commitment and dedication to enhance the confidence and trust of the public. “We have deployed the Police Combat Team in hot spot regions to tackle criminal activities. We have placed intelligence at the core of our operations”.
The Police Collaborating With Regional and Continental Security Agencies
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, on his part, also disclosed that the police are collaborating with regional and continental security agencies to improve security in the country, especially as it hosts the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The move, he said, is in line with an African Union Peace and Security Council Insight report that indicated that in spite of the potential of AfCFTA to contribute to economic development, peace, and security on the continent, its implementation could be hampered by insecurity.
In his presentation, Dr. Dampare opined that there have been deliberate efforts to ensure security for the successful implementation of the free trade area.
Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, the Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance, moreover, said peace and security are key to the effective implementation of AfCFTA. He stated that the country has witnessed stability for 30 years in spite of the economic challenges and has been described as the beacon of democracy in Africa.
Dr. Akwetey noted that despite that achievement, it is imperative to address pockets of electoral violence during, before, and after general elections to make the environment peaceful for regional trade to go on. He expressed concerns about the threat in the region, especially with terrorism, extremism, and radical jihadists within the sub-region, and called for urgent actions to address the situation.
The four-day event, under the auspices of the School of Continuing and Distance Education, College of Education of the university, in collaboration with the National AfCFTA Coordination Office, is aimed at exploring how to strengthen trade, industry, and commerce, leveraging the AfCFTA agreement. The Conference is on the theme: ‘Positioning the African Market for Sustainable Economic Development Through AfCFTA’.
