The Upper West Regional Police Command has advised hostel owners in the region to take practical steps to strengthen their security systems in order to protect their customers' lives and property.
The leadership stated that it had come to their attention that armed robbery and rape of students were occurring in several of Wa's dormitories.
Many of the hostels in the region were mostly populated by students who were vulnerable to attacks by unscrupulous individuals, according to the command.
At a meeting with hostel proprietors and managers in Wa, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Mr. Peter Ndekugri, the Upper West Regional Police Commander, emphasized the problem of poor security on the grounds of some hostels.
He stated that it was the managers and proprietors of the hostels' obligation to safeguard the lives and property of their guests.
The Regional Commander advised the hostel administrators to hire skilled private security firms to work diligently to eliminate the threat.
"Any hostel that refuses to offer protection for its inhabitants if they are assaulted will not be taken lightly by us."
"The safety of your hostel is crucial. "Don't think about making a lot of money from the hostels; the safety of individuals who are staying there should be your primary priority," he advised.
Mr. Prince Gabriel Waabu, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and Deputy Commander of Police, Upper West Region, warned that any hostel that would be assaulted due to neglihence.
The hostel's operators' failure to provide adequate security may result in the facility's closure.
According to him, improving the security of the hostels would help them run more smoothly since students would feel safe patronizing them.
ACP Waabu recalled an incident in which a student was raped in one of the dormitories due to a lack of protection at the time, which he described as unacceptable.
To combat the threat, he encouraged the operators and managers to consider installing CCTV cameras and other detective technology at their sites.
Some hostel operators praised the police for taking the initiative to assist enhance the security of the hostels, although some expressed concern about some of the officers' attitudes.