By: Saidu Jalloh
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, Frederick Ampiah paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu at his George Street office, Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu.
The team comprised Madam Ilemobola Adomola- Adecehin- Gender and Inclusion Specialist, Alie B Sesay – Senior Rule of Law and Human Right Officer, Madam Janet Dabire Communication Specialist and the UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Frederick Ampiah.
According to the UNDP Resident Representative, the purpose of the meeting was to know how the UNDP should support the SLP with training programmes and transformation of the SLP from Force to Service noting that he was one of the key people that was involved in the transformation of the Ghanaian Police from Force to Ghana Police Service.
He further maintained that such transformation required proper record and an automated system.
He also requested meeting with high-ranking officers in the SLP to determine how the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP) should help the Police and suggested a study tour of SLP personnel to Ghana in order to familiarize themselves with the operations of the Ghana Police, he added.
In closing, the Resident Representative reiterated that “the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu system is in a process of formulating an operational frame work with the Government of Sierra Leone, which is carefully in line with the National Mid-Term Development Programme from 2025 – 2030”.
Adding that they are currently developing their annual work plan for 2024, which has necessitated their visit to the IGP, so as to familiarize themselves with the vision of SLP, building social cohesion, community engagement, decentralisation of police stations, professional standards, among others.
Responding, IGP Sellu welcomed Mr. Frederick Ampiah and team to his office, adding that his first interaction with UN system was anchored around supporting the SLP after the August 10, 2022, saga in which the SLP lost seven (7) Police Officers. The IGP said that he was able to identify some of the challenges of the SLP of which he helped with training programmes leading up to the multi-tier elections.
“As of now our key challenge is capacity building of our personnel”, emphasising that emerging challenges are more cyber related. He noted that the cyber space has been occupied by the wrong people.
In the area of community engagement, he said that the Community Relations Department are constantly engaging communities; referencing the Local Policing Partnership Board which he considers as a social contract between the Police and the community.
Mr. Sellu informed that the SLP has thirty-six (36) Local Police Command Units which are infused within the six (6) administrative Regions. He noted that these local police commands also have the responsibilities to engage the community.
IGP Sellu alluded to a review of the Police Act of 1964, to take onboard emerging policing issues and challenges.
On the issue of welfare of personnel, IGP Sellu said that can be addressed by the political master but the quick intervention is to build the capacity of the Police adding that the dynamics of crime are changing, he concluded.
The UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Frederick Ampiah thanked the IGP for his explicit explanations nothing that the IGP is very much clear on what they issues are and how they can be placed of which he promised to bring ideas on the review of the Police act of 1964 and to support the SLP with training programmes.
