The out-gone Director-General of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kwesi Ofori, has urged the public to work side-by-side with the police for the maintenance of peace, law and order in the country.
He said effective policing was all about shared responsibility to reduce crime and create a safe environment for all citizens to enjoy.
DCOP Kwesi Ofori, while being pulled out of the Service yesterday, indicated that people chose to join the Police Service, not for any particular reason, but to make a difference in their communities.
He added that the personnel wanted to make a difference “for the families, and for victims of crime; for the helpless, and for the struggling souls that stumble through the very worst of their lives,” and never about pecuniary benefit, power or fame.
According to him, it was for the adventure and for the painful privilege of venturing into the hurting cruel places where “we want to restore calm, cast aside all fears, and protect life and safeguard humanity.”
“And I want you to know that in spite of our very evident limitations, and the imperfection of humans, the majority of men and women, I have been privileged to work with over the years, are just about as extraordinary as people can ever be.
“People of great courage and compassion; people of heroism and humanity; people of bravery and brilliance; people of determination, and that precious, old-fashioned thing called duty. To your safety, these gallant men and women have laid their lives.”
Conducting the farewell ceremony, the Chaplain of the Ghana Police Service, Reverend Father DCOP George Arthur, used the occasion to challenge serving officers to groom others before their retirement.
According to him, their absence should never create administrative gaps, but an opportunity for others to continue.
He said there should be a succession plan for development and stability for any given organisation or society.
Brief Profile of DCOP (Rtd) Mr. Kwesi Ofori
DCOP Kwesi Ofori has served in the Ghana Police Service for over 35 years and rose through the ranks to his present rank as DCOP.
He also served in various capacities in Divisional and District commands.
Mr. Ofori obtained his Diploma in Public Relations from the Ghana Institute of Journalism in 1988, a First Degree and a Master’s Degree from the same institute in 2015.
He also holds a Master’s Degree in Conflict, Peace and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPKTC).
Pictures by Eric Owiredu
