THE Director-General of Police in charge of Services, Commissioner of Police (COP) Yaw Adu-Gyimah, has commended the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Mr. Frank Adu Poku, for his exemplary leadership qualities which he said made it possible for his administration to reduce the crime situation in the region to the barest minimum. He said the leadership qualities of the Regional Police Commander had contributed to bring sustainable peace to the region to make it possible for residents to concentrate on their viable economic ventures. He mentioned armed robbery, mobile phone and car snatching, drug peddling, among other crimes, as some of the criminal activities which were on the ascendancy prior to the assumption of office of the Ashanti Regional Police Commander. COP Adu-Gyimah made the commendation during an end-of-year get-together organised by Mr. Adu Poku at his residence in Kumasi. The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Owusu Ansah, his deputy, Mr. Osei Asibey Antwi, and the Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, were among the dignitaries who attended the well-attended get-together. Some senior police officers from the region, public officers and senior journalists also attended the get-together, which was meant to thank God for protecting the police and also ask Him to continue to shower His blessings on them to enable them to discharge their duties without fear or favour. He said the sense of commitment, dedication, zeal and professionalism exhibited by COP Adu Poku had caught the attention of the leadership of the Ghana Police Service and the government which had now promoted him from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) COP Adu-Gyimah said since Mr. Adu Poku assumed office, he had collaborated with all stakeholders in the region, including his subordinates, to bring the crime rate down. He explained that the promotion, which took effect just before the end of 2006, was to motivate Mr. Adu Poku to continue working very hard to enhance the building of the image of the Ghana Police Service. He urged the Regional Police Commander to prove equal to the task by continuing to work hard in any area he found himself. COP Adu-Gyimah expressed concern about the recent public reaction on the cocaine deal which the public perceived some senior police officers to be part of. He said the Police Administration had striven very hard to build a good image for itself and the country, stressing that it was that effort which had attracted the international community. In his remarks, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Owusu Ansah, also commended Mr. Adu Poku for collaborating with stakeholders in the region to promote the rule of law. He said since Mr. Adu Poku assumed office almost two years ago, the crime rate in the region had also reduced considerably, making it possible for residents to undertake their economic ventures without fear. Earlier, Mr. Adu Poku had thanked God for His immense protection and guidance which, he said, made it possible for the police to go about their duties successfully. He also thanked the public for their tremendous support which complemented the efforts by the police in combating crime last year. George Ernest Asare, Kumasi Graphic