The Deputy Minister designate for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has cautioned against the hasty removal of police and military checkpoints along major roads across the country.
He said for that to happen, the Police Command must first do a proper assessment of areas where there was the need to remove such security barriers.
The nominee alleged that many of such barriers were “wayward” and mounted only to extort money from motorists.
“My recommendation to my boss will be that let us get the Police Command to do a proper assessment of areas where we think they have to remove the barriers before we do so,” he said.
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Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, Mr Terlabi said: “Apart from what those manning the barriers do to road users, their presence sometimes also wards off criminals and gives us confidence as we drive in the night,” he said.
The nominee was responding to a question by the Majority Chief Whip, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, who quizzed him on steps he would take to remove nuisance police, military, Ghana Revenue Authority, immigration and national security barriers along some major roads to stop the discomfort caused to the public.
On accommodation for security personnel, the nominee assured the committee that he would help to improve on a decent abode for personnel across the country, adding “I think that it is about time that happened on a larger scale”.
Status of IGP
When the MP for Assin South, John Ntim Fordjour, sought to know the status of the IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, the nominee said: “Mr Chair, I wish I could tell you but I am a deputy minister to be and I am even not there yet.
“I have not even had the opportunity to sit in any meeting to even eavesdrop and I cannot answer this question as it is for the President to decide.
“The appointing authority may be looking at other things rather than what you think is the case.
“Sometimes, you think you are doing your best as a football player but the coach sees injury.
What you see outside sitting on the bench is different from what is happening on the field,” he said.
