CHRAJ inspects cells in Atebubu District

Officials of the Atebubu District Branch of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), led by the District Director, Mr Samuel Vasco Nyamekye has inspected a number of Police Cells in the District.

The cells visited included those at Atebubu, Parambo Number One and Yeji where a total of 24 inmates had been placed in custody for various crimes. Mr Nyamekye told the Ghana News Agency after the inspection that the inspections formed part of the Commission's statutory function to protect and promote the fundamental human rights and dignity of individuals including those in detention.

Mr Nyamekye said 19 inmates were found in the Atebubu Cells including one Kwame Sarfo, who was alleged to have caused the death of one Mama Afiah by giving her concoction to abort a pregnancy, while the Parambo Police had one person and Yeji Police Cell had four inmates.

He said the poor state of the Cells in the District needed immediate attention to improve the ventilation, bedding facilities and provision of adequate toilet and urinal facilities as well as the need to speed up the trial of cases so that staying in custody would not go beyond 48 hours. Mr Nyamekye stressed need for the Police Administration to improve the cells at Atebubu by providing blankets, mattresses, toilet facilities and lights and asked the Police Personnel to treat suspects in their custody fairly and humanely.

GNA