PRESIDENT John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government has commissioned a Singaporean company to construct more housing units for all the country’s security services to address the accommodation challenges facing them.
According to the President, the company’s first major assignment was the construction of a 10,000-student hostel at the University of Ghana.
“But we have also commissioned them to build housing for our Police Service, our Prisons, Fire Service, and the Ghana Armed Forces,” President Mahama stated when he addressed the Ghana Police Service end-of-year get-together, popularly known as West Africa Security Services Association (WASSA), held at the Police Headquarters in Accra on Thursday.
It was on the theme: “Resetting the Police Service: Professionalism, Integrity, and Building Public Trust.”
He said that during his official visit to Singapore in 2025, the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the company to establish a prefabricated housing factory in Ghana to produce modern, cost-effective buildings.
President Mahama explained that under the government’s “Big Push” infrastructure agenda, accommodation challenges within the security services would improve significantly, and urged the Police Administration to begin identifying available lands within their barracks for the housing projects.
President Mahama described WASSA as more than a social tradition, noting that it provided an opportunity for reflection on service, sacrifice and the collective responsibility of security personnel to safeguard peace and stability in the country.
He said the gathering allowed officers to renew bonds of comradeship and recommit to the values that defined the Police Service.
The President commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the Police Management Board and personnel for their professionalism during the recent Christmas and New Year festivities.
He noted that despite increased travel, social activities and security risks, crime levels were kept remarkably low.
“You made sure that crime was kept at a very, very low level, and we thank you for your diligence, intelligence-led operations, discipline and careful planning ensured that Ghanaians and visitors celebrated in peace and safety,” he said.
He praised the strategic deployment of officers across highways, communities, markets, places of worship, transport terminals and entertainment centres, stating that the visible police presence reassured the public and demonstrated a vigilant and responsive service.
He also lauded the swift handling of incidents and the prompt apprehension of suspects, urging the Service to sustain the momentum and send a clear message that there would be no hiding place for criminals.
President Mahama said the revival of WASSA after a long pause was symbolic, reflecting the need for institutions to periodically reassess and renew their commitment to purpose.
He described the theme as timely, stressing that security was foundational to national development.
Resetting, he explained, did not imply failure but recognised the need for adaptation, reform and alignment with democratic values, human rights standards and public expectations.
He emphasised professionalism as central to the reset, calling for high standards in arrests, investigations, crowd control and the treatment of suspects, victims and witnesses.
The IGP, Mr Yohuno, said the 2025 WASSA was organised to allow personnel to take a break from their demanding duties, appreciate one another and acknowledge their collective efforts in serving the nation.
BY CECILIA YADA LAGBA
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