Ashaiman  Divisional Police Command Cries for Vehicle – Divisional Commander Uses Personal Cars for Operations 

By: Sebbie, Edward Graham

The Ashaiman Divisional Police Command is operating without a single serviceable vehicle, a dire logistical challenge that has crippled effective policing in one of Ghana’s fastest-growing municipalities.

The situation came to light when a philanthropist and resident of Ashaiman, Alhaji Abdul Rahim Haruna, donated a brand-new Isuzu Pick-up to the Ashaiman District Police Command.

Ashaiman is one of the fastest growing Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the country, with research indicating that at least five persons from the West African sub-region settle in the municipality daily. The rapid population growth has heightened the need for effective security to protect lives and property.

However, police officers in the Division are severely constrained by logistics and personnel, a situation that mirrors the national picture. The challenge cuts across all three police districts under the Ashaiman Division.

Speaking to the media after receiving the vehicle, the Ashaiman Divisional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sarfo Agyemang Badu, disclosed that he has had to sacrifice his only official vehicle for other operational duties.

As a result, he has been compelled to use his two personal vehicles for official work, both of which have since broken down due to the poor nature of roads in the municipality.

“I have to sacrifice the only official vehicle for other operational duties. As a result, I was compelled to use my two personal vehicles for official duties, which have since broken down due to the deteriorated nature of the road network in the municipality,” ACP Badu said.

While awaiting a response from the Interior Ministry on an earlier request for vehicles and personnel reinforcement, ACP Badu appealed to corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to support the Command with at least motorbikes, noting that most crimes in the municipality are committed using motorbikes. “Even if you can’t afford a vehicle like Alhaji, you can help with motorbikes since criminals in the municipality operate with motorbikes” he emphasised.

The donor, Alhaji Abdul Rahim Haruna, a businessman, said his decision to purchase a new vehicle for the Command was motivated by the huge sums of money being spent to repair an old and inefficient vehicle being used by the police. He promised to continue to assist the police to provide security for residents and businesses whenever the need arises.

“I decided to purchase a new vehicle for the command after realizing the increasing amount of money being spent to repair an inefficient existing vehicle. I will continually assist the police to provide security for residents and their businesses any time the need arises,” Alhaji Haruna stated.

Receiving the vehicle on behalf of the District Command, the Ashaiman District Police Commander, DSP Orlando Joseph Adzorkpa, said despite the logistical constraints, the Command has significantly reduced crime and created a serene atmosphere for businesses to thrive.

He assured that the new vehicle will be put to good use to enhance policing in the area.

“Despite the logistical limitations, the command has brought down crime considerably, creating a serene business atmosphere. We promise to do more with the new vehicle,” DSP Adzorkpa said, pledging more efficient policing to ensure a safer environment for residents and businesses.

“The command recently secured convuction for five notorious criminals belonging to a mobile phone theft syndicate who usually lure young ladies from elsewhere to Ashaiman a rob them of their phones, bringing some peace to the public” The Ashaiman District Police Commander revealed.