IGP being briefed on progress of work by Reynold O’Pratt, Administrator of Cosap Ghana Limited (2nd Right)
WORK ON the administrative and academic blocks for the Marine Police Academy at Aiyinase in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, is about 90 per cent complete.
The school, when fully completed, will offer first-class maritime training to police personnel to sharpen their skills to combat illegal human trafficking, narcotic smuggling, toxic waste disposal as well as any other threat posed to oil and gas installations.
In March 2013, the Minister for the Interior, Kwesi Ahwoi, cut the sod for the commencement of work on the project, which is being supported by the United States Government.
It is being undertaken by COSAP Ghana Limited and is expected to be completed in June this year at an estimated cost of $1.2 million.
This came to light when the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, visited the project site at Aiyinase to assess the progress of work.
The IGP explained that the training school would train police personnel on maritime security.
He indicated that the facility would go a long way to curb any threat posed by criminals to the petroleum industry and ensure the integrity of the country’s territorial waters.
The IGP pointed out that oil exploration has its associated security implications on the country hence the re-activation of the Police Marine Unit to beef up maritime security.
He indicated that the Police Marine Training Academy would offer international standard training to police personnel to combat human trafficking, narcotic smuggling, toxic waste disposal as well as any threat posed to the oil and gas installations.
He said the Police Marine Unit would collaborate with all the necessary state agencies to enhance security on Ghanaian waters.
The IGP entreated the Police Marine Unit, the Navy and the Fisheries Commission to communicate and share information to ensure maximum security of the country’s maritime domain.
He commended the United States Government for providing funding for the construction of the administrative and academic blocks.
He expressed the hope that the training school would train not only police personnel in the country, but other police officers within the West African sub-region.
ASP Emmanuel Owusu Addae, incharge of the Marine Training Academy, praised the chief and elders of Aiyinase for releasing a parcel of land for the project and the cordial relationship that exists between the police and the community.
FROM Emmanuel Opoku, Aiyinase
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