BTA Admin 
Star Oil has donated GH¢1 million towards the construction of a new facility for the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, in a move expected to support the department’s investigative and operational work.
The proposed facility is estimated to cost GH¢11 million and will provide office accommodation, interrogation rooms and detention facilities for the CID.
Construction is expected to take 12 months, provided the necessary resources are made available.
Star Oil credits CID support for improved security
Star Oil Chief Executive Officer Philip Tieku said the donation was in recognition of the CID’s support in addressing security challenges affecting the company’s nationwide operations.
He explained that collaboration with the department had helped the oil marketing company improve security monitoring across its more than 280 locations in Ghana.
According to Mr Tieku, the partnership has enabled Star Oil to operate a remote security monitoring system, reducing the need for physical security personnel at some lower-risk stations.
“The CID has been very supportive in that effort. They’ve assisted us in almost every situation that comes up, and we’ve gotten to the point where that collaboration has allowed us to operate a remote security monitoring system supported by the CID,” he said.
He added that the company considered it important to support the department’s infrastructure needs after benefiting from its services over the years.
New facility to address CID detention challenges
Receiving the donation, CID Director-General COP Lydia Yaako Donkor said the new facility would help address longstanding challenges arising from inadequate detention space at the department’s headquarters.
She explained that the CID has had to rely on other police stations to detain and interrogate arrested persons, placing additional pressure on those facilities.
“For a while now, we’ve not had that facility within this headquarters, and it is also a matter of concern for us. We have to be sending people to other stations, and those stations are also burdened,” she said.
The new building is expected to give the department dedicated space for handling suspects and conducting investigations.
Eight detention cells planned
David Mawuli of Delta Plus, the contractor undertaking the project, said the facility would include eight detention cells for male and female suspects, as well as a separate cell for juveniles.
Other planned facilities include:
- Interrogation rooms.
- Offices for investigators.
- Information technology facilities.
- Office accommodation for CID personnel.
- A cafeteria on the top floor.
The design is intended to bring several investigative and operational functions together in one facility.
GH¢10 million funding gap remains
With the project estimated at GH¢11 million and Star Oil’s contribution standing at GH¢1 million, the donation represents about 9.1% of the projected cost.
The remaining GH¢10 million will be needed to meet the full estimated construction cost, although the available information does not specify how the balance will be financed.
The project’s completion within the expected 12 months will depend on the availability of the required resources.
Once completed, the facility is expected to strengthen the CID’s working environment and reduce its reliance on other police stations for detention and interrogation services.
