MEET-THE-PRESS PRESENTATION (2013/2014 ) BY HON. KWESI AHWOI MINISTER FOR THE INTERIOR 14th July, 2014 INTRODUCTION Goal of the Ministry: is to provide a safe and secure environment, where socio-economic activities will thrive within the confines of the law to enable Ghana enhance her status as a middle income country to achieve higher growth and development. Strategic objective of the Ministry: is to improve the capacity of security agencies to provide internal security for human safety and protection. 2 INTRODUCTION CONT… Assurance of safety and security by Ministry: The Ministry is concerned about the security situation in the country and is determined to improve upon the situation. 1/12/2017 PRESENTATION FORMAT Thematic Programmes: Management and Administration (Policy Formulation, Monitoring and Evaluation) Crime Management Conflict and Disaster Management Border Security and Migration Management Gaming Regulation 4 PRESENTATION FORMAT CONT…. Challenges Way forward Recent Development Conclusion 7/14/2014 AGENCIES UNDER THE MINISTRY 1. Ghana Police Service 2. Ghana Prisons Service 3. Ghana National Fire Service 4. Ghana Immigration Service 5. National Disaster Management Organization 6 AGENCIES UNDER THE MINISTRY CONT… 6. Narcotics Control Board 7. Ghana Refugee Board 8. Gaming Commission 9. National Commission on Small Arms 10. National Peace Council 7/14/2014 PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS Policy Formulation and Reviews Maintenance of peace, law and order Migration Policy Private Security Organisations (PSOs) Regulations Locksmiths Activities Service Charter /Standards Refurbished web-site(www.mint.gov.gh) 8 PERFORMANCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS Policy Formulation and Reviews Revision of the existing Laws and Regulations: NACOB, Prisons Bills and BNI Regulation(with AG.) NADMO Bill – approved by Cabinet Ghana Immigration Service (Amendment) Law Cabinet Memorandum on a loan facility to procure logistics for the Security Agencies 9 SERVICES RENDERED BY THE MINISTRY AND AGENCIES CONT... Registration/Naturalisation: a person of age and capacity who is not a citizen of Ghana may upon application and with the approval of the President be registered as a citizen of Ghana after meeting certain requirements including: the person residing in Ghana throughout the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of the application; 10 SERVICES RENDERED BY THE MINISTRY AND AGENCIES CONT… during the seven years immediately preceding the period of twelve months, the person should have resided in Ghana for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than five years; the person should be of good character as attested to in writing by two Ghanaians being notary public, lawyers, or senior public officer; etc.(Sect. 10/13 of Act 591) 11 SERVICES RENDERED BY THE MINISTRY AND AGENCIES CONT… Dual Citizenship : a citizen of Ghana, after acquiring the citizenship of any other country whose laws allow dual citizenship, applies for dual citizenship (Sect. 16). Our law allows Ghanaians to hold the citizenship of such other country in addition to their Ghanaian citizenship. 12 SERVICES RENDERED BY THE MINISTRY AND AGENCIES CONT… Renunciation of Ghanaian Citizenship: a Ghanaian citizen of age and capacity who is also a citizen of another country makes a declaration of renunciation of citizenship of Ghana. The Minister of Interior causes the declaration to be registered, whereupon, that person ceases to be a citizen of Ghana. (Sect. 17 0f the Citizenship Act, 2000 Act 591) See Citizenship Act 2000 Act 591 13 SERVICES RENDERED CONT… SERVICE CHARTER(1) Service Duration Work Permit Two(2) Weeks Indefinite Residence Permit Four(4) Weeks Immigrant Quota Filling in Quota Three(3) Months Six(6) Weeks Renunciation of Ghanaian Citizenship Two(2) Weeks Dual Nationality/Citizenship One(1) Month Registration/Naturalization as a citizen of Ghana Six(6)Months 14 SERVICES RENDERED CONT… SERVICE CHARTER(2) Service Duration Registration of Spouse Six(6) Months Registration of Minors as Citizens One(1) Month Licensing of Private Security Orgn. Six(6) Months Permission to Import/Export Explosives Two(2) Weeks Granting of Auctioneers License Six(6) Weeks Exportation of Dead Bodies Two(2) Days Permit for Key Cutting Two(2) Months 15 APPLICATIONS FOR NATURALISATION AS GHANAIAN CITIZENS, 2013 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 3 2 5 4 4 3 2 1 2 0 0 January February 0 March April May 1 June July August September October November December 39 foreigners applied to naturalise as Ghanaians with 29 approved and 10 outstanding Lebanese-17; Indians - 5; Italian -1 Nigerian -1; Korean -1; Egyptian -1 American - 1 British - 1 and Liberian -1 1/12/2017 DUAL CITIZENSHIP APPLICATIONS-2013 500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 470 449 367 315 313 303 308 12 1 5 Quarters 21 2 3 APPLICATION 340 APPROVAL 27 4 OUTSTANDING Applications Approval Outstanding Q1 315 303 12 Q2 313 308 5 Q3 470 449 21 Q4 367 340 27 1,465 1,400 65 Grand Total 1/12/2017 RENUNCIATION OF GHANAIAN CITIZENSHIP: 817 applications received and approved in 2013 200 180 160 140 120 100 185 80 60 118 116 131 118 92 40 20 0 0 1 1 14 JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL 6 MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTMBER 35 OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER Comprising 367 male and 450 female Ghanaians in the following countries: Germany - 538; Netherlands - 233 Norway - 32; Denmark – 7 Austria - 5 Hong Kong - 1; Chinese - 1 1/12/2017 WORK PERMIT GRANTED, 2013 BY IMMIGRANT QUOTA COMMITTEE 200 180 186 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 48 44 20 35 0 Missionary Construction Mining Education 14 11 5 1 Manufacturing N.G.O Airline Service Hospitality 447 work permits granted sectors comprising:Missionary Activities - 186 Construction - 48 Mining - 44 Educational- 35 Manufacturing- 14 NGOs Activities -11 Airline Services - 5 Hospitality Industries - 1 COMPANIES ISSUED WITH PERMITS ON EXPLOSIVES Company Permit Granted AEL Mining Services 119 MAXAM Company Ltd 93 ORICA 59 AKY Company Ltd 24 WILLED Company Ltd 15 Schlumberger 8 Halliburton 4 Baker Hughes 3 The Light Company Ltd 1 West Coast Construction Ltd 1 Total 1/12/2017 327 EXPORT OF MORTAL REMAINS 20 18 16 18 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Nigeria 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Ukraina Sierra Leane Benin Cote D' ivoire Guinea Bissau Romania UK Rwanda Lebanon Japan, Togo Liberia Nigeria - 18; Ukraine - 2; Sierra Leone - 2; Benin - 2 Cote D’ivoire - 2; Guinea Bissau - 1; Romania - 1 Romania - 1; United Kingdom - 1; Rwanda - 1; Lebanon – 1; Japan - 1; Togo – 1; Liberia - 1 CRIME MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER Rolling out of Police Visibility and Accessibility: through Police Patrol and Community Policing including Tent-cities and mounted bikes nationwide. The Formed Police Unit has been positioned for local and international deployment Embarking on regular swoops leading to arrest of criminals, fugitives pushers. and drug 22 CRIME MANAGEMENT CONT…. IMPROVEMENT IN POLICE/POPULATION RATIO(PPR) Year Police Force PPR 2010 23,204 1 : 1,100 2013 30,635 1 : 784 Approaching UN Standard of 1 ; 500 7/14/2014 CRIME MANAGEMENT CONT…. REDUCTION IN MAJOR CRIME Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 Total 7/14/2014 Crime Of which Armed Robbery 234,242 231,908 228,653 194,355 889,158 1,260 1,235 1,126 1,120 4,741 MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER CONT… On infrastructure projects for Police Service: Police Hospital Expansion project on course. Possibility of further expansion being considered. 15 construction projects which were at various stages have been completed and handed over to the Service. 13 projects are on-going and at various stages. On the Marine Police Unit: the Administration & Academic Blocks at Aiyinase are nearing completion. Eastern and Western Marine Commands are operational. The Joint Fisheries Enforcement Unit (JFEU) is now operational. 25 MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER CONT… Logistics: The Ministry of Finance is processing loan facility for procurement of operational logistics for Agencies under the Ministry including the Police. PPP for residential and office accommodation: a technical committee is appraising all police lands to enable negotiations with potential developers. HRD: The Service has established Junior and Senior Training Institutions for capacity development (i.e. Winneba and Bolgatanga) Welfare: Provision of boreholes and sanitation facilities in various barracks across the nation. Public confidence re-affirmation campaign: Vigorously being pursued by the Service to minimise if not eliminate corruption and enhance public recognition of the Police. (Public cooperation seriously required) 26 SAFE CUSTODY OF INMATES & CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN GHANA’S PRISONS Minimal escape rate of inmates is evidence of safe custody and welfare of inmates CCTV cameras installed at Ankaful Maximum Security Prison to improve monitoring and security. Construction of 12-Unit Storey Classroom Blocks each under GETFund at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison and the Wa Central Prison. Projects currently at lintel level. 11 and 3 inmates sat for BECE and WASSCE respectively in 2013 and had 100% pass. The Diagnostic Service Centre introduced four years ago concluded successfully in 2013 and will be extended to all Central 27 CUSTODY OF INMATES & CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CONT… Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity completed through GIFEC at the Prisons Headquarters, the Prison Officers’ Training School, Nsawam Male, Nsawam Female, Ankaful Maximum Security and Kumasi Male Prisons to improve for ICT purposes. From 2013 to date, 342 prisoners equipped with vocational and technical skills in preparation for their release. Prison Commercial Units expanded to include transport hiring services, sewing of uniforms for schools and companies and manufacture of school furniture. Currently the Units are manufacturing school dual desks for Omega Cluster of schools at Kasoa and sewing uniforms for security departments of KNUST 28 CUSTODY OF INMATES & CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CONT… Engaged PPP initiative in basket weaving and poultry production. The basketry is in collaboration with HAVILAK in Bolgatanga. The second phase of a modern Maximum Security Prison at Ankaful has begun. Four residential blocks of eight units flats each (2 and 3 bedrooms) completed in 2013 and occupied by officers. The ‘Justice for All’ Programme succeeded in reducing “remand population” in our prisons from 4,285 in 2008 to 3,027 in 2013. 29 CUSTODY OF INMATES & CORRECTIONAL SERVICES CONT… To enhance the ‘Justice for all’ Paralegal Units were established In 2013 to provide technical support to the judicial system in reviewing the backlog of pending cases, and recommending actions to be taken. The 100% overcrowding rate at Ankaful Annex Prison’s reduced to 0% by transferring its convicted prisoners to the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison, built to hold over 2,000 prisoners but was housing only close to 400 prisoners due to limited staff accommodation. Drawings completed awaiting funding for transforming part of James camp prison land into a remand prison. Refurbishment and conversion of the Ankaful Annex Prison to remand prison is on going. Walling of Ankaful Main Camp Prison and Conversion to a category ‘B’ prison in the offing. Refurbishment of Nsawam Prison Infirmary into a reputable medical 30 FIRE MGT, RESCUE & EXTRICATION SERVICES 75 fire tenders, 5 water tankers and other fire-fighting equipment worth US$12,534,373.00 ordered in 2013. From March 2014, 42 fire tenders and associated equipment delivery. 18 fire tenders are at port awaiting clearance. Currently installation and testing of the tenders and training of the fire personnel is on-going in Accra. GNFS received 10 Rapid Intervention Motor Cycles for Fire Fighting. Conducted Fire Audits in all the major markets in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi. 31 FIRE MGT, RESCUE & EXTRICATION SERVICES CONT… The Service: Embarked on Fire Safety Education and Night Patrols in all the major markets in the country. Conducted Fire Risk Assessment in all MMDAs in the Country. Established Fire Posts at major markets Trained over 200 Fire Inspectors and Safety Officers to enforce LI 1724(fire safety precautionary regulation) Offered Industrial Fire Training for several Institutions in the Country. Issued a Total of Eight Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Five (8,775) Fire Certificates. 32 FIRE MGT, RESCUE & EXTRICATION SERVICES CONT… Fire Outbreaks Responded to in Ghana: Months/Years Fire Outbreaks Jan-Dec, 2013 5, 489 Jan-May, 2014 2, 106 Total 5, 102 Indicating a reduction of 17.39% 1/12/2017 FIRE MGT, RESCUE & EXTRICATION SERVICES CONT… The Service Completed: National Command Office Extension, Accra. Teshie-Nungua Fire Station and Offices. Officers Mess at Fire Academy Training School (FATS). Upper West Regional Command Office building. Completed ICT Centre, FATS Library (30%) complete, Project Department Office at FATS (70%) complete. Trained 1,350 fire volunteers, set-up Rescue Teams in all regions and trained 119 companies in fire safety procedures. Embarked on weekly radio programmes in all the regions. 34 BORDER SECURITY & MIGRATION MGT. The Ghana Immigration Service in collaboration with other security agencies flushed out foreigners engaging in illegal mining activities. In 2013, One thousand, two hundred and eighty-one (1,281) persons were arrested for committing various Immigration offenses. Provision of infrastructure. The Service completed construction of a 3-storey, 2 bedroom block of 6 flats and a 3-bedroom and external works at Menuso in the Volta Region. Construction of 1 bedroom block of 24 flats at Bawku is at roofing level. Construction of hostel and fence wall around the Academy and Training School at Assin Fosu is expected to be completed by end of 2014. 35 BORDER SECURITY & MIG MGT CONT… The Service has completed rehabilitation of residential and office accommodation works at Assin Fosu Training School, Tema, Sunyani, Koforidua and Accra Regional Office. Rehabilitation works on residential and office accommodation at Kumasi and Koforidua have started and expected to be completed by end of third quarter of 2014. Rehabilitation works on residential and office accommodation at Paga, Aflao, Mognori, Misiga, Tatale, Kwameseikrom and Polimakom are expected to start in the third quarter of 2014. Other on-going residential accommodation projects that the Service is looking at include that of Gonokrom and Dadieso.36 BORDER SECURITY & MIG MGT. CONT… Revision of Immigration law 226, Scheme and Conditions of Service are on-going. Commenced the processes that would lead to the amendments of the Road Act to capture GIS in the exempt list. 17 border posts fitted with modern Border Surveillance equipment under phase 1 of the CCTV Project with the assistances of the Spanish Government. 37 BORDER SECURITY & MIG MGT. CONT… Implementing a real-time, on-line information exchange under the integrated e-Immigration project. Installed biometric equipment for screening prospective travelers to check fraud at KIA. Implementing the Thematic Programme on Migration and Asylum to reduce the incidence of irregular migration and other related crimes. Signed up to the Interactive Map on Migration in Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean Region (MTM IMap) to promote and facilitate inter-governmental information exchange, and foster cooperation. 38 DISASTER RISKS MGT. NADMO: Printed and distributed information brochures on various types of disasters. Organised a crisis communication journalists and other stakeholders. workshop Facilitated capacity building courses management for 160 participants. in for disaster Embarked on public awareness programme on cholera symptoms, causes and remedies in five selected endemic regions. Coordinated the efforts of stakeholders and responded to 39 various disasters across the country. DISASTER RISKS MANAGEMENT CONT… Undertook public education on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation. Desilted and widened main river channels in Accra and Tema Metropolis. Continued the Wasakuse dredging project in Big Ada with farmers and fisher folks benefiting immensely from it. (i.e. the completion of the 14 km out of 28 km resulted in 2,068 youth-artisans being employed. 40 DISASTER RISKS MANAGEMENT CONT… Construction of dams at Fantevikope, Bedeku and Kadja, all in Ada, have also created over 3,000 jobs in the catchment area. Formed 3,096 Disaster Volunteer Groups (DVGs) with a total national membership 64,169. Procured GH¢5,137,649.00 worth of assorted food and non-food items and distributed for victims of various disasters. 41 NARCOTICS & PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES MANAGEMENT During the period under review NACOB: Sensitised 216 Schools and 46 communities across the country. • NACOB intensified public sensitization and drug education campaign, a total of one hundred and thirty (130) radio and television programmes were carried out. Recruited and trained 253 personnel to strengthen its human resource base. Issued out 351 import permits, 97 imports authorizations for various precursor chemicals and registered 37 new companies whiles premises of 151 companies were inspected. 42 NARCOTICS & PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES MGT. CONT… Recorded a total of 41 narcotic drug arrest cases . The cases resulted in the arrests of forty (40) suspected persons. Also a total of twenty four (24) postal seizures were made with one (1) person arrested and twenty three (23) under investigation. However, nine persons were convicted for narcotic drug offences. Three (3) NACOB staff are currently undergoing sniffer dogs handling training in Germany (Sponsored by the German Government) Five (5) new regional offices were opened in addition to the already existing four (4) regional and zonal offices- Wa, Cape Coast, Accra, Sunyani and Koforidua regional offices. Additionally, two (2) border posts were opened at Paga and Elubo. 43 NARCOTICS & PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES MGT. CONT… With funding from the European Union (EU) and the government of Canada, Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP), aimed at establishing effective real time communication and exchange of intelligence between law enforcements and airports among seven (7) airports in west Africa and some source countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to exchange information, in real time, about the movement of couriers, traffickers and luggage between airports. The president launched Africa’s biggest Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS). The 16 million Euro facility will aid the tracking of vessels within a range of 1000 nautical miles. 44 SMALL ARMS & LIGHT WEAPONS MGT. The Commission has: Marked over 10,000 weapons of 12 Units of the Ghana Armed Forces in the Greater Accra Region which constitutes about 75% to 80% of the GAF weapons in the region. Conducted a baseline assessment of the nature of the small arms problem in Ghana. The result of the survey is to inform a national strategy for small arms control. Conducted a comparative legislative analysis of Ghana’s laws on firearms and the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms to harmonize and to draft the new law legislation on small arms and light weapons. 45 SMALL ARMS & LIGHT WEAPONS MANAGEMENT CONT… Trained 29 personnel from various Security Agencies and the Attorney General’s Dep’t in ‘Investigating and Prosecuting of Firearms Trafficking Offences. Embarked on public education at various media houses across the country. Published NACSA 2nd Newsletter and printed 500 copies for information sharing and education. Soliciting support from the United Nations Office on Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament (UNREC) for database system development on small arms and light weapons. 46 CONFLICT MANAGEMENT NPC on the platform of the Peace Summit, engaged major stakeholders in the Election Petition to ensure peace before and after the Supreme Court verdict. The Council engaged with the various media houses with the objective of creating the needed platform to reflect and to share experiences on practical entry points for conflict sensitive reporting. The NPC in collaboration with its partners organized Mediation, Dialogue and Negotiation training workshops for Board Members, Regional and District Executive Secretaries, and Programme Managers. 47 CONFLICT MANAGEMENT CONT… The Council undertook an intervention in Bawku to invigorate the stalled Bawku Peace Process by reviving the Bawku Inter Ethnic Peace Committee (BIEPC). The NPC organized capacity building workshop for Queen mothers, women and youth in the Northern, Upper West, and Brong Ahafo Regions. The NPC has begun a project to harmonize and coordinate peace building initiatives and peace actors through networking to achieve sustainable peace in Ghana. The compilation of a national database of peace actors and initiatives is expected to be completed by the end of 2014. 48 CONFLICT MANAGEMENT CONT… The NPC in collaboration with the University of Cape Coast conducted conflict assessment in Ghana. The NPC participated in a capacity building workshop organised by West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP) in conjunction with ECOWAS to train women in High Level Dialogue and Mediation For West African Institutions. The NPC has inaugurated four (4) Regional Peace Councils and is expected to complete the remaining 6 regions by the end of third quarter of 2014. 49 GAMING REGULATION The Commission undertook an extensive inspection in Takoradi, Kumasi, Accra and Tema to collect data on licensed and unlicensed companies and gambling machines. The Commission ensured that all Gaming Houses posted “NO UNDER 18” sign on their premises to ward off minors. The Commission developed and launched its website – www.gamingcommission.org.gh. The Commission has been holding quarterly interactive meetings with Gaming Houses to address challenges confronting the industry. The Commission generated a total revenue of GH¢1,179,750.00 for the first quarter of 2014 as against GH¢1,669,982.00 for the whole of 2013 or GH483.702.17 for the first quarter of 2013 (Due Commissioner) 50 REFUGEE MANAGEMENT The Ministry has initiated action to restructure the Ghana Refugee Board and transfer the temporary staff unto Government payroll. Draft National Policy on Refugee Management (Refugee Commission Bill) intended to change the Board to Commission is ready for submission to Cabinet. Draft document on the Operational Manuals for the Secretariat and Scheme of Service for staff are currently with the Management Services Division of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service. 51 REFUGEE MANAGEMENT CONT… REFUGEE POPULATION IN GHANA Asylum Seekers Refugees Total 987 3 284 233 9,565 5,249 3,415 250 10,552 5,252 3,699 483 120 438 2,065 3 189 18,671 123 627 20,736 Nationality Ivory Coast Liberia Togo Sudan Central Afric. Rep Others Total 52 REFUGEE MANAGEMENT CONT… REFUGEE CAMPS IN GHANA Refugee Camps Regions Nationality Ampain Western Ivorians Krisan Western Multi-National Egyeikrom Central Ivorians Buduburam Central Liberians Fentetaa Brong -Ahafo Ivorians 53 REFUGEE MANAGEMENT CON’T… Togolese government reports over 17,000 Ghanaian asylum seekers in Togo as a result of intermittent communal conflicts in Northern Region since 1993. Local Integration processes of Liberian Refugees are on-going: about 900 passports is being distributed. Application for exemption from cessation clause at first instance by Liberian Refugees: In 2013, a total number of 1,173 applied for exemption from cessation, 288 were approved while 885 rejected. Efforts are being made to encourage voluntary return of Ivorian refugees: Tripartite Commission established, modalities for return in place, visit to refugee camp by Ivorian authorities to encourage return of refugees to Ivory Coast and visits to Ivory Coast by some refugees to see for themselves- “Go and See, Come and Tell” CHALLENGES Increasing involvement of youth in the commission of crime including armed robbery. Absence of non-custodial sentencing or measures, inadequate reformation and rehabilitation programmes resulting in recidivism. Inadequate fire hydrants, non-observance of building regulations and indiscipline make firefighting particularly market and domestic fires difficult. Weak enforcement of migration laws leading to influx of immigrants. illegal Limited equipment and machinery to dredge and de-silt drains and channels in all the critical areas vulnerable to flooding. People deliberately building on water ways. 7/14/2014 CHALLENGES CONT… Isolated incidence of communal conflicts and disaster risks across the country. Drug abuse and incidence of trafficking of illicit narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Proliferation of small arms and trafficking of illicit weapons. Inadequate office and residential accommodation. Inadequate operational vehicles and other logistics. Inadequate human resource. 7/14/2014 Inadequate budgetary allocation. THE WAY FORWARD Deepen inter-departmental collaboration to aid judicious use of available resources. The Ministry will intensify monitoring of projects and programmes. Increasing the use of ICT and E-governance into the operations of the Ministry and Agencies Facilitate the procurement of standardised operational logistics. Expand the Canine Unit of NACOB to breed more sniffer dogs for security operations. The Ministry is collaborating with Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to acquire a piece of land for proposed Ministry’s Office Complex. Expand infrastructural projects through Public Private Partnership 57 (PPP) THE WAY FORWARD CONT… The Police has adopted proactive strategies such as : Increase frontline policing and intelligence gathering. Intensify day and night patrols on highways, commercial and residential suburbs of the major cities. Building closer and mutual working relationship with all stakeholders particularly the general public. Prisons Service is : Advocating for the passage of the Prisons Bill into an Act which will provide, inter alia, for the introduction of alternatives to custodial sentences. Involving more NGO’s in the provision of legal aid to inmates. 58 THE WAY FORWARD CONT… GNFS is continuing public education. GNFS is collaborating with MMDAs to constitute committees on public fire safety to enforce fire safety measures. GNFS is collaborating with Ghana Water Company to ensure provision of adequate fire hydrants. NACOB will be collaborating with the Prisons Service to establish Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre to manage drug abused and related offences in the prisons. Provide the infrastructure for GIS for institutional inspection. THE WAY FORWARD CONT… The NACSA is: exploring ways of mobilizing support from development partners to develop a small arms database system. considering the possibility of mainstreaming blacksmithery into local gun production. The Gaming Commission is: stepping up monitoring and inspection of Casinos and other gaming centres. establishing a central electronic monitoring system to monitor casinos/Gaming Centres. 60 THE WAY FORWARD CONT… The National Peace Council will continue to create the necessary platforms for constructive engagements at various conflict sites to reduce conflicts across the country. The Council is exploring ways of mobilising support from development partners to prosecute its mandate. The Ghana Refugee Board is continuing with its restructuring programme to make the Secretariat more effective and efficient. The Board will mobilise support from Development Partners to implement the National Policy on Refugee Management and Local Integration. 61 RECENT DEVELOPMENT On the recent gruesome murder of Bimbilla Overlord, Naa Andani Dasana, and five (5) others, the Ministry expresses its deepest regrets on the unfortunate incidence. The Security Agencies have already started investigations into this heinous crime and every effort is being made to bring the perpetrators to justice. We call on the citizens of the area, especially in Bimbilla to remain calm. We have beefed up security in the area to ensure law and order and the protection of lives and property. The curfew times for Bimbilla, Nakpanduri and AlavanyoNkonya have been reviewed accordingly. 62 CONCLUSION Ladies and Gentlemen, against the background of the limited resources all Agencies under the Ministry continue to work and work hard. Special mention of the police who have handled the recent spate of demonstrations with utmost professionalism. This is commendable. I thank you all for the attention. I now leave the floor open for questions and issues that need further clarification. Thank you. 63 GHANA, OUR MOTHERLAND, CAN ONLY MOVE FORWARD. GOD BLESS GHANA ! 64
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