The Ghanaian police contingent serving in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has advised Ghanaians to safeguard the peace and unity being enjoyed in the country in order to build a prosperous nation.
Citing the rate of destruction and desperation they had seen in Somalia, which had been engulfed in civil war for close to three decades, they urged Ghanaians to stick to the path of peaceful and united coexistence no matter the circumstances they encountered.
In random interviews conducted by this reporter who was part of a team of Ghanaian and Nigerian journalists invited by AMISOM to cover the activities of the mission in Somalia, the Ghanaian police personnel were unanimous that judging from the situation in Somalia, it was important for Ghanaians to jealously guard the peace and unity in the country.
Destruction
“It is unfortunate all Ghanaians cannot come here and see the state of destruction, the poor quality of life of the Somalis as a result of the conflict. If Ghanaians could come here and experience for themselves the life here in Somalia, they will appreciate the peace we enjoy in Ghana,” the leader of the 37-member Ghanaian contingent, Chief Superintendent of Police Mr Paul Kissi Frimpong, said.
Democracy
The Situation Report Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ms Hannah Adjei, advised especially the youth not to allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians to engage in violence, particularly during elections.
A Ghanaian policewoman who works with a unit that mentors Somali police personnel to meet international standards, Sergeant Janet Turkson, stressed that, “Ghana is always being praised for being a beacon of hope in Africa in view of its democratic credential and that must not be taken for granted.”
Background
For almost three decades, Somalia had been engulfed in a civil war, while AMISOM had been working in support of the process of restoring peace in that country.