The maxim of WASSA and play

GNA News Feature by Maxwell Awumah

Ho, May 31, GNA - The maxim of “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” was demonstrated last Friday, when the Volta Regional Police Command marked its West African Security Services Association (WASSA) at the forecourt of the Regional Headquarters in Ho.

The event, initiated by the then British colonial government to ease governance through indirect rule, was set aside for all its troops in the then British West Africa countries comprising the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Ghana (Gold Coast) to relax, reflect and plan for the future.

In fact, it is a day to make merry and undertake self-introspection and a designated platform, where participation is liberal.

The merry-making session was audacious as what to eat and drink was never in question, in abundance it flowed.

Three long sets of food tables were laid to take care of all present including guests, some special, mainly friends of the Police and of course the media were well represented.

The menu was in fact, long, assorted and sumptuous.

I spotted tables with all kinds of drinkables, some locally labelled and others carrying foreign signatures.

Again, I spotted the “khebab” vendor busily tendering meat for patrons as smoke bellows.

In fact, the rain thought it was disturbing the programme, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we say it, “The weather bring in self” manifested.

As if the Volta Police believed in the figure three, there was music in threefold too. Spinners were present, live band saluting and almighty Borbobor was represented live.

Just try to figure out, when the trinity of food, drinks and music clash under a 'Bring yourself weather, one could only exclaim "Dzale lele" to complete the expression in Ewe.

Never be surprised, the mountain of food and drinks was reduced to ground zero at the last hour but music and dance cascaded into the night.

On planning for the future, giving meaning to the WASSA celebration, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Mr Edward Oduro-Kwarteng told the Ghana News Agency that maintenance of law and order, protection of life and property remained high on the Police radar.

“Citizens need peace to be able to ply their trade in tranquility and we are poised for that.”

We have maintained a proactive stance by increasing patrols and visibility and pledge to be professional to duty, fair to all, irrespective of political affiliation.

"We are visible and maintaining vigilance at new enclaves of Ho, where private estates are springing up. We have declared a zero tolerance for robbery in the region, and hard on activities of smugglers and narcotic dealers,” he said.

Mr Oduro-Kwarteng said the Police would be more aggressive on the roads to stem carnage, with the Motor Transport and Traffic Division checking drunk driving by physical checks and device use.

He said the Police was aware of other methods being adopted by drivers to keep them ‘high’ behind the steering wheel, we are warning them "We are sharper."

Perhaps the decision to set aside a day like WASSA should be adopted by the working class. It pays to play.

GNA

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