Kumasi — THE OMANHENE of the Bekwai Traditional Area, Nana Karikari Appau II has called for public support for the Ghana Police Service to enable its personnel to perform their official duties more efficiently and effectively.

He said considering the tedious responsibility of the police, it was incumbent on corporate institutions, philanthropists and civil society organizations to lend support to the police in the performance of their core duties as peace officers to maintain law and order as well as provide adequate security for lives and property.

Nana Appau, who was interacting with the Bekwai Police Command at Asante-Bekwai during a tour of departments and agencies recently, said in acknowledgement of the critical role the police play in the society, that the police has since independence been instrumental in maintaining peace and stability of the nation and, therefore, ought to be given the needed encouragement to work as expected of them.

The Bekwaihene also visited the district Hospital, National Commission for Civic Education and Commission (NCCE), the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Ghana National Fire Service and the Bekwai Community library to acquaint himself with progress of work.

He said, it was, therefore, expected that stakeholders complemented efforts of the government in the area of logistical support in terms of vehicles, accommodation and police posts to step up commitment of the police in the maintenance of law and order.

Nana Appau called on the residents to co-operate with the police in the discharge of the duties. He commended the Municipal Police Command for their tireless efforts in bringing down the crime rate to the barest minimum and advised them to work harder to sustain the momentum.

The Municipal Police Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Daniel Amoako, thanked the Omanhene for his commitment to development and assured him that his outfit would always uphold the code of ethics of their profession.

At the Bekwai Community library, the Omanhene on behalf of the Bekwai Traditional Council appealed to the Ghana Education Service (GES), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and decentralized assemblies to step up reading habit in the youth in order to fully patronize libraries.

He noted that the library, with the stock of variety of books, was a repository of knowledge, hence the need to encourage the youth particularly pupils and students to patronize it.

Miss Mary Boadi, the librarian, complained that the roof was leaking, while the furniture and shelves needed replacement. Books in the library were also outmoded.

She said the library, which is stocked with about 12 computers, with internet connection, has low patronage, and appealed to the Municipal Assembly and the Traditional Council for support.

The District Fire Officer, DO III Mr. Adu Bediako, commended the Omanhene for his instrumentality ensuring that the fire station was adequately equipped. The government supplied a Fire Tender to the Bekwai local station in March, this year, as well as an Ambulance.

D.O. Adu Bediako said the Tender is currently serving the Bekwai Municipality, as well as the Amansie Central (Jacobu), Amansie West (Manso Nkwanta), Bosomtwe (Kuntanase) and Bosome-Freho (Asiwa) districts and that it has helped the swift movement and effective operations of his outfit in times of emergencies.

Meanwhile, the Bekwai Omanhene has assured heads of departments of the Traditional Councils' support for the efficient running of their departments and that they should not hesitate to discuss matters of concern with the council for needed assistance.