The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) James Oppong-Boanuh, says the service has deployed over 15, 000 uniform and non-uniform personnel across the country to clamp down on criminal activities and maintain law and order during the Christmas holidays.

He said it had also put in place a number of operational strategies to increase Police visibility, protect lives and property, and ensure effective traffic management as part of efforts to guarantee the safety and security of citizens, especially during the period.

The Police Chief said this when he delivered a keynote address at a ceremony organised by the Graphic Communications Group Limited to climax its Safety and Security Campaign in Accra on Thursday.

“We have intensified day and night patrols, increased community engagements and sensitiation on security, stepped up traffic management, deployed some technological devices to enhance information gathering intelligence-led operations, snap checks and highway patrols.

“Let me, therefore, caution all potential criminals to desist from any nefarious activity intended to ruin the peaceful celebration of the Yuletide festivities because the Police is ready to deal decisively with them,” he stressed.

Mr Oppong-Boanuh urged the public to complement the efforts of the security agencies by furnishing them with information on any suspected criminal activities to enable them to act swiftly and ensure the safety and well-being of all.

He advised individuals to take the necessary personal precautions during the festive season to avoid falling prey to criminals.

“We have also designated Public Complaints Desk at the moment at the Police Headquarters to receive complaints in respect of any unprofessional or unethical conduct from any member of the service for immediate and appropriate redress and this can be accessed through phone numbers 0550323323/0275000156 or on WhatsApp and SMS-0206639121,” he said.

Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) May Obiri-Yeboah, in a speech read on her behalf by Pearl Adusu Gyasi, said despite efforts by various stakeholders to reduce road accidents in the country, it continued to be a leading cause of death among Ghanaians.

She noted that although the country recorded a reduction in the death rate from January to October this year, injuries caused by road accidents, particularly from pedestrian knockdowns continued to surge.

“Since the beginning of this year (January to October), there have been 1,915 deaths compared to 1,921 last year, a reduction of 0.3 percent. Pedestrian knockdowns has also reduced from 2,626 to 2, 418, thus 7.07 percent reduction but with an increase in injuries.”

The Authority had commenced a campaign on the theme “Stop Road Accidents now before it Stops You” in partnership with some media organisations geared towards reducing road carnages during the festivities.

She said the NRSA would, therefore, work with the Police to ensure that drivers found guilty of any road traffic offence were punished accordingly.

On his part, Deputy Chief Officer in charge of Safety, Ghana National Fire Service, Obeng Dwamena, urged the public to ensure that they properly extinguished all sources of heats in order to avoid fire outbreaks.

He also cautioned the public against the use of firecrackers and explosives during the festive period saying “the ban on firecrackers is still in force.”