President John Mahama has announced that the government will soon deploy drones and covert operations vehicles to boost police intelligence and crime-fighting across the country.

Speaking at the commissioning of 40 armoured vehicles for the Ghana Police Service in Accra on Thursday, December 4, the President said the new tools were part of a wider effort to modernise policing.

"A police detachment that will be trained how to use drones for urban surveillance and information gathering in any theatres that you are involved in,” the President said.

He also disclosed that the Police Service would receive unpublicised covert operations vehicles. “You will also get 10 Covert operational vehicles that I have been cautioned not to talk about. It’s only you who will know you have them.”

The President added that every police district would also receive a pickup for regular patrol duties.

President Mahama said the drone team and covert fleet would support the newly-delivered armoured vehicles, which represent the first phase of a major retooling programme.

“These 40 vehicles are just the first batch of what you are receiving. By the end of this month, you’ll receive two tow trucks… and many more will follow,” he said.

The President commended the Police Service for recent improvements in public safety. He praised the leadership and officers for reducing highway robberies and tackling serious crimes.

“Let me begin by commending the IGP, the Police Management Board, and all the officers and rank-and-file of the Ghana Police Service. You are doing a good job… Our highways are getting safer because you’ve taken on the highway robbers and you have dealt with them.”

He also highlighted the work of the CID. “In the past, there were many unsolved murders. I’m happy to note that recently… with good police intelligence, you’ve been able to bring the suspects to book,” he said.

President Mahama stressed that officers must no longer be deployed without proper gear and protection. “Many times, we send our police… into assignments without giving them the appropriate safety equipment. That is going to be a thing of the past,” he assured.

He added that the government was committed to preventing needless deaths in the line of duty. “Many men have died in the line of duty just because they were not properly equipped for the assignments that we asked them to do. Government will ensure that that becomes a thing of the past,” he said.