The Ghana Police Service says political parties and their running mates can select four officers from its force for their protection as the 2016 general election approaches.

This was a key proposal the police made to leadership of political parties in the country during talks Monday.

The dialogue between the police and the political parties is part of efforts to ensure safety of key figures of the party in the run up to general elections in November, 2016.

Ghana Police Service says the IGP, John Kudalor, considers protection for political party leaders high on its agenda.

Director of Public Affairs with the Police service, DSP Cephas Arthur, told Joy News the police is waiting for approval of its proposal from the political parties to deploy the servicemen.

He said the police have always worked to ensure political party leaders are safe during elections, explaining that the political parties have been given the opportunity to select the police officers on their own because it borders on the personal security of the political party leaders.

"If for any reason a party feels more confident in specific police officers it can request for these officers," he told Joy News.

Meanwhile, this renewed assurance by the Ghana Police Service seems to be a reaction to the importation of three South African ex-Police officers into the country by the opposition NPP to train the security detail of its flagbearer and running mate.

The Ghana Immigration Service since repatriated the South African nationals after they were arrested by the BNI and charged with conspiracy to commit crime and unlawful training.

This new proposal for political parties to select four police officers from its force will be an addition to  the general security that will be provided by the Police during political rallies and activities during the electioneering campaign.

NDC’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Hon. Freddie Blay, John Boadu and Dr. Charles Dwamena for the NPP. Prof. Edmund Delle and Nii Armah Akomfrah for CPP, Nii Allotey Brew Hammond and Mr. Mutala Mohammed Ahmed for the PPP participated the dialogue.