The Italian Government has supported the Drug Enforcement Units of
the CID operating within three regions of the country, two drones and six motor
bikes for their operations.
The Italian Ambassador to Ghana, Giovanni Favilli, who presented
the items on behalf of the Government of Italy, specifically by the Ministry of
Interior Anti Drug Unit, said the motorbikes were to provide for the needs of
Drug Law Enforcement Units (DLEU) located in the Bono, Eastern and Volta Regions,
after those donated last November for the DLEU in Tamale.
He
said the drones were meant to be used all over Ghana to survey areas suspected
to host marijuana plantations.
“Technology
and equipment are key in supporting Police staff in their job of controlling
the territory and fighting crime.
It
is a small contribution but it is my hope that the motorbikes and the drones
are put to good use and used extensively, to improve police performance and
citizens’ security in Ghana,” he added.
The Director
General in charge of Services, Commissioner of Police, Alex Amponsah Asiamah,
who received the items on behalf of the Acting Inspector General of Police, James
Oppong Boanuah, thanked the Italian Government for the support.
He
said since 2015 the Italian Government has supported the police by building the
capacity of personnel both from the junior rank and the senior officers.
He
said in 2018 the Italian government again donated two motor bikes to the Drug
Law enforcement Unit in Tamale.
“Law
enforcement is currently technologically driven, especially in the case of tracking
systems and we are really grateful.”
The Deputy
Director General In Charge Of The Criminal Investigations Department, Assistant
Commissioner of Police, (ACP) George Tweneboah, added that selected officers
from the CID drug enforcement Units from across the country before the donation,
were given a two-day training in drone piloting techniques to enable them use
the drones in fighting crime.
He
entreated participants to take care of the equipments to enhance crime
investigations.
Present
were the director in charge of the drug enforcement unit, Superintendent
Hukporti, commandant of the detective training academy, Superintendent Grace
Akrofi, Police Attaché at the Italian Embassy, Enrico Biasutti and others.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey
