The Upper East Regional Police Commander, ACP Bright Oduro, has indicated that his outfit cannot meet demands by some police personnel on ‘hunger strike’ in Bawku. He told Joy News' Matilda Asante Asiedu, Tuesday, that the decision to give them daily ration instead of cash is in the interest of the Service and their peacekeeping duty in Bawku. “I don’t believe that we should bow to the demand; we think that when they are given food, more or less, it will enhance their operational mobility [and] their operational effectiveness.” Some police officers in Bawku seemingly embarked on a hunger strike when their daily GH¢4 allowance was stopped and replaced with meals by the authorities. The security personnel drawn from various parts of the country had initially expressed dissatisfaction over what they considered as an inadequate daily allowance and even demanded a raise. However, these same people now want the cash handed to them. “For them to totally withdraw the amount and replace it with food ration prepared by the military is unacceptable. As I speak to you, our morale is at an all-time low,” one of the striking servicemen told the Daily Guide newspaper. Meanwhile, ACP Bright Oduro has maintained that the situation cannot be described as a hunger strike. “It was only a few of them who decided not to eat yesterday, [Monday] even more of them have even changed their mind, he said. He defended the action by the administration because the situation of giving them cash made the mobilization of the servicemen more difficult during emergencies. “Sometimes when you need them then they would be scattered all around looking for food. It does not augur well for us; more or less, we are having problems with getting them food, more especially when the curfew hours changed from 2pm to 6am. “So it was decided that at least they should be fed, and the administration decided to implement this at the beginning of this month [December].” Story by Isaac Essel/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana