Government has allocated GHS4.8 million for the construction of a state-of-the-art police division block in Kumasi to address severe infrastructure deficits, eliminate cell overcrowding, and modernise security operations across the metropolis.
The landmark project will replace nine pre-colonial police offices at the Central Police Station with a modern facility featuring six specialised holding cells and an executive conference room.
Kumasi Mayor Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi announced details of the project when the Ashanti Business Owners Association (ABOA) presented a GHS200,000 cheque to support the construction of temporary offices for police personnel whose current offices will be demolished to make way for the new complex.
The donation brings the total funds mobilised for the GHS750,000 temporary facility to GHS410,000.
”Currently, the Ghana Police Service is facing a severe infrastructure deficit in the Kumasi central area,” Mayor Boadi said, explaining that rapid urban growth has stretched law enforcement resources.
“As population increases, the demands on the police also increase. To properly manage and prevent crime in our metropolis, we must put the appropriate infrastructure in place,” he stated.
A primary driver of the overhaul, he said, is protecting the basic human rights of suspects, whom the law presumes innocent until proven guilty.
He highlighted that current infrastructure shortages regularly force the regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to transport suspects to distant cells in Sofoline and Asokwa, while severe cell congestion degrades living conditions.
Mr Boadi further stated that existing facilities lack designated holding areas for women and juveniles.
He explained that the new six-cell layout will establish clear segregation based on gender, age, and offence severity, ensuring proper sanitary management for women and preventing minor offenders from mixing with hardened criminals.
”These are cells that were provided for us in the pre-colonial era, and we cannot continue living in these conditions,” the Mayor stated, adding, “When cells become overcrowded, the rights of suspects in custody are infringed upon. As a state, we need to provide the appropriate infrastructure so that the rights of suspects are upheld.”
Beyond physical infrastructure, Mr Boadi revealed plans to advocate for a dedicated Kumasi Metropolitan Police unit, modeled after London’s urban policing framework, to focus exclusively on city management.
Mr Boadi added that the demolition of the nine old offices and ground-breaking for the GHS4.8 million complex will begin once the Assembly raises the remaining GHS340,000 needed to finalise the temporary operational hub.
For his part, Charles Kusi Appiah Kubi, Executive Secretary of the Ashanti Business Owners Association, said the group responded to a request from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) because security is paramount and serves as the foundation for development.
He emphasised that tight security enables business owners to invest with confidence, noting that the government cannot build the city alone, a principle that guided ABOA’s decision to contribute GHS200,000 toward the project.
ACP Francis Kouame Somian, Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, commended the initiative by the KMA, led by Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, and appealed to others to contribute towards providing befitting offices for police personnel.
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