A two-day conference for Police Commanders aimed at improving policing in the country has opened at the Police Headquarters here in Accra. The conference which is under the theme “One year of strategic national policing plan - its impact in contemporary road traffic management and democratic policing” is to afford Police Commanders the opportunity to strategize how to implement the Strategic National Policing Plan. The concept of the SNPP is to offer a good opportunity for commanders to meet and renew commitment of solidarity and team work. The National Police Command Conference last year developed a 5-year strategic plan which seeks to improve upon the current system of policing to ensure that it conforms to international policing standards. Addressing the conference on Thursday, Interior Minister, Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor, noted that government has been monitoring developments in the [Police] service and outlined some interventions government is institutiong to help the service overcome its numerous challenges such as the national housing project and the implementation of the single spine salary structure. The Interior Minister stressed the importance of the Strategic National Policing Plan adding that even though some challenges are anticipated in its implementation efforts are being made to overcome the challenges. “Challenges in the implementation of the SNPP were anticipated but the best way to deal with such challenges is to identify them as we roll out the plan and put in place measures to overcome these challenges” he said. Inspector-General of Police, Paul Tawiah Quaye in his address stated that for the first time in the history of the Ghana Police Service, a five year Strategic Plan, spanning the period 2010-2014 was considered and adopted by the National Police Command Conference in 2010 and has since become a formal road map for the police administration in particular and the personnel of the service in general. In an interview with Multi TV, Acting Police Public Affairs Director, DSP Cephas Arthur said the conference will be used to take stock of all activities undertaken by the Police as well as deliberate on key policy issues and develop strategies for future growth and development. Source: Multi TV