200 Vehicles For Police Service “Misplaced Priority” – MP

The Member of Parliament for Adaklu Constituency in the Volta Region, Kwame Agboza, has described as “totally misplaced” government’s recent presentation of Toyota Camry vehicles to the Ghana Police Service.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo Friday, October 26, presented 200 newly acquired Toyota Camry saloon vehicles to the Ghana Police Service, assuring the Service of more resources in the coming months.

He said his administration’s massive Police resourcing agenda has just started, and that government will continue to mobilise whatever assistance it can to enable the Police provide the Ghanaian people, the kind of service they deserve.

While commending the Akufo-Addo-led government for its efforts in retooling the police service, Mr. Agboza doubts the vehicles will better serve the needs of the police.

Speaking on TV3’s New Day Monday, October 29, the Adaklu MP argues the bad road situation in the country will not make the vehicles any useful for the police.

“I want to thank the government or the president for giving them [Police] some logistics, though I consider that logistics as totally misplaced. It’s just like getting you Mercedes to run a taxi service at Adaklu, the road condition of this country has never been worse than this before in this country”, he said.

“What is the point in buying a Toyota luxurious Camry for the police who need ragged, durable four by four pickups?”, he quizzed.

“The Camry are not the most required vehicles for the police, they need pickups…That is what you need”, he said, reiterating the point that the saloon cars cannot stand the pressure of the work required by the police to fight crime, especially when the roads are not good.

According to Mr. Agboza, it must be the question of “using the right tool for the right job” and it does not seem as such if the cars are going to be used in rural areas.

He maintained the presentation of the cars was merely “cosmetic” and not the solution to the problem of the police.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), Mr. John Kumah, who was also on the discussion disagreed with Mr. Agboza’s claims that the 200 saloon cars presentation is misplaced.

Mr. Kumah said the analysis by the Adaklu MP using his constituency as a representation of Ghana and its roads condition is wrong.

“His view of Ghana in the eyes of Adaklu is wrong”, Mr. Kumah said.

He however agrees that 200 vehicles for the police is not enough but draws attention to the government’s promise to do more for the police.

Mr. Kumah also thinks the government should be commended, adding the police can still look forward to the high-powered vehicles.