Security beefed up at national installations(Page three) December 31, 2008

Story: Michael Donkor
SECURITY has been beefed up at all national installations as part of measures to protect them from potential troublemakers who may engage in some post-election excesses.
The joint police/military patrols have also been intensified, with the Military High Command increasing military presence at some flash points to ensure that lives and property are also protected.
The Chief of the Defence Staff, Lt Gen J.B. Danquah, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic yesterday, appealed for public co-operation to enable the security services to maintain the peace in the country.
He also appealed to the leadership of the political parties to use the law courts to contest any flaws they might have identified with the electoral process and avoid mobilising their supporters onto the streets to protest.
He said for those who might want to jubilate, it was important for them to do so peacefully, without taking the law into their own hands.
Lt Gen Danquah said other security measures had been devised to ensure that the peace and tranquillity that the country enjoyed was sustained.
He gave the assurance that the military would do everything possible to defend and uphold the Constitution of the country at all times.
Lt Gen Danquah reminded Ghanaians that there was no Ghana anywhere for them to go to and that they should all join in the fight to resist any attempt by any self-seeker to disturb the peace and tranquillity of the country.
Meanwhile, the National Elections Security Task Force has warned the public against lawlessness and acts of vandalism.
It said the task force would continue the joint police/military patrols to strengthen security in the aftermath of the election to ensure the safety of lives and property and the promotion of general security.
A statement signed by DSP Kwesi Ofori, the Director of Police Public Affairs, called on the public to remain calm and support the police to maintain peace, law and order in the country.
It said the task force and operational units were being deployed to assist in maintaining public order and urged motorists to co-operate with the police in that respect.
It reminded the public that the Headquarters of the Electoral Commission was a restricted zone and that access to the roads leading to that place would be granted to emergency vehicles, vehicles of the EC, the security services and stakeholders only.
The statement further reminded the public that the Public Order Act required that any group of persons who wished to organise any public event had to inform the police five days before the day of the event.
It commended the public for their support so far in maintaining peace and order in the country.