The era of lack of logistics for borders patrol activities would soon be a thing of the past’ he added. He further indicated that, all purpose patrol vehicles, robust motorbikes, boots, tents, surveillance equipment, pre-fabricated structures, generators, metal detectors, global positioning system among others would be procured for the Unit.
Addressing a two day conference under the theme ‘Strategizing to Revamp the BPU: the Challenges and Prospects’, organized by GIS for its Border Patrol Commanders drawn from the Regions in the country, the Interior Minister, reiterated that regular training programmes would also be organized to sharpen the skills of the personnel in modern patrolling, and to boost their confidence.
The conference, which is the first of its kind was aimed at evaluating the activities of the BPU over the years, identifying its strength and weakness and come out with pragmatic progrmmes and strategies to overhaul the Unit and its operations.
He urged the personnel of the Unit to keep up the hard work in patrolling the borders and called for more commitment and dedication to work, devoid of parochial interest, since the Ministry is working hard to address the challenges facing the Unit.
The Director of GIS, COP [Dr.] Peter A. Wiredu, explained that the myriad of challenges facing the BPU personnel when patrolling in the bush particularly at night without weapons posed serious threat to their security and that of the nation. He cited the examples of personnel who were stabbed last year in the course of patrolling when they encountered smugglers at the Sampa border post [Brong Ahafo region] who were armed with dangerous and sophisticated weapons.
He therefore appealed to the government to come to the aid of the GIS in addressing the issues of lack of weapons and ammunition, office and residential accommodation and transportation, essential tools for effective border management.
He assured the personnel that prefabricated cubicles and tents would be provided as an interim accommodation along the borders and have distributed some procured accoutrement to each Sector Command for their men.
COP/Dr. Wiredu, informed the gathering that the conference would be featured regularly on GIS annual calendar in order to create a platform to evaluate and analytically assess the operational performances of the Unit as a key wing of the Service as far as our land borders are concerned.
He expressed the hope that the purpose of revamping the BPU with innovative operational strategies for more effective result would be achieved.
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