By Stanley Kwabla Arku
Residents of Okushebi and Oshebleku, two neighboring communities in the Kpone Katamanso Constituency of the Greater Accra Region, are raising their voices in frustration over an abandoned police post that has been left to deteriorate. The facility, once a beacon of hope for improved security, now lies in ruins, overtaken by weeds and exposed to the elements.
The police post, constructed by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), was completed over four years ago with the intention of boosting security within the two growing communities. However, despite its promise, the structure has remained unoccupied and unstaffed since its completion, leaving the communities vulnerable to crime.
The residents, who have long anticipated the deployment of personnel from the Ghana Police Service to the post, have expressed disappointment at the lack of action from authorities. Instead of serving as a safeguard, the abandoned building has become an eyesore, with overgrown weeds choking the once-promising facility.
“We were happy when the police post was built, thinking it would improve security here. But now, it’s just standing there, being consumed by weeds,” lamented Kojo Mensah, a local resident. “We have to go all the way to Oyibi or other distant areas just to report a crime. It’s frustrating.”
With the growing population in Okushebi and Oshebleku, the absence of a functioning police post is more than just an inconvenience—residents fear it could lead to increased insecurity. Many have reported the presence of petty thefts and burglaries in the area, crimes that could have been swiftly addressed with a closer police presence.
“Crime is on the rise, but we don’t have the protection we deserve. The police post was supposed to help us, but nothing is happening,” added Ama Oforiwa, another concerned resident. “We are calling on the authorities to step in and help us before things get worse.”
For now, the people of Okushebi and Oshebleku must continue to rely on police services from neighboring communities, making it difficult for them to feel safe in their own homes. As crime continues to increase in the area, the community is urging local authorities, SSNIT, and the Ghana Police Service to intervene and take swift action.
“We’re tired of being ignored,” Mensah said. “If this police post isn’t going to be used, then what’s the point? We need authorities to restore it and deploy officers here immediately.”
Residents have stressed that revamping the structure and deploying officers to the post would not only restore peace of mind but also establish order within the community. They are hopeful that their collective voice will spark the attention of local authorities and finally bring the long-awaited security presence to their doorstep.
For now, however, the once hopeful structure remains ensnared by neglect, as residents anxiously await the day when they will no longer have to travel long distances just to feel secure in their own community.