2 POOL RESOURCES TO CHECK CRIME IN MINISTRIES AREA (PAGE 49)

THE Ministries of the Interior and of Public Sector Reforms are pooling resources to flush out criminals in the Ministries area.
The Ministries area has of late experienced an escalating crime wave, with criminals snatching handbags and mobile phones from people who go there for official business.
Mr Samuel Owusu Agyei Minister for Public Sector Reforms, who announced this, said the criminals had been extending their activities to the offices, leading to break-ins in which computers and other government property had been stolen.
Mr Owusu Agyei said this when he took delivery of a Toyota double cabin pick-up from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
He said the vehicle would be placed in the pool for the Ministries of the Interior and of Public Sector Reforms for use by the police to patrol the Ministries day and night to ward off miscreants who might want to use the Ministries and their environs as a safe haven.
He said sometimes, the criminals disguised themselves as hawkers.
The Minister said the criminals engaging in these activities had gone scot-free because the security forces were unable to trace those involved.
He said this state of affairs would not be allowed to continue and the two Ministries had pooled resources to enhance security and improve on the safety of civil servants working there.
Mr Dauda Toure, UNDP Resident Representative for Ghana, said any successful public sector reform hinged on the welfare and conditions of service of the public and civil servants.
He commended the two Ministries for working to ensure the safety and welfare of civil servants.
He said further that the UNDP was therefore willing to be associated with activities that would enhance the efficiency of the service for it to contribute to the development of the country.
He added that the donation of the vehicle was part of the public sector reform seeking to improve working conditions of the people.
He said the support formed part of the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations encouraging an interface between the public and the government for economic development.