“Combine quantum, patronage, nepotism and let’s see who is corrupt” – Kofi Boakye charges CDD

The Ashanti Regional Commander of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Kofi Boakye has slammed corruption reports that continuously rank the police service the most corrupt institution in the country.

The outspoken service man’s comments come as the police appear to find themselves tops in several anti-corruption indices conducted by both local and international anti-graft bodies.

The Afro Barometer Reports by the Center for Democratic Development (CDD) and the Global Corruption Barometer by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) have corroborated the perception over time.

The recent Afro barometer report for instance indicated that 89% of Ghanaians perceived the police as the most corrupt institution.

However, speaking on TV3’s Hot Issue, DCOP Kofi Boakye stated that the focus of such research is narrow and failed to capture the encompassing definitions of corruption.

According to DCOP Boakye, such institutions should do a better job to paint a better picture of corruption in the country.

Drawing analogies, he illustrated, “If we go and interview people at the harbor alone, we will have who is most corrupt there. In the same way, when we go to interview teachers or people seeking admissions you will know who is more corrupt.”

He added, “Among all professions, the police is the interface between the law and the public; we are always seen and even the police corruption they are talking about, it is only on the roads with the MTTU which we have accepted is wrong.”

He challenged publishers of such reports which put the police in a bad light, to also consider quantum as “one person’s corruption can dupe the nation to the tunes of over 10million dollars and police corruption will just be one cedi, one cedi.

He called on the CDD in particular, to review its sample size and context in which it viewed corruption.

“We must look at nepotism, patronage and quantum, and combine them with the money collection and let’s see who is corrupt,” he demanded.

DCOP Kofi Boakye also explained how he assumed the name “Commander 1” after assuming his post as regional commander for the Ashanti region.

He said his successes chalked in superimposing his authority over gangsters and bully gangs in the region had earned him the accolade as the commander 1.

He touted, “I met the people and told them there cannot be two commanders in the Ashanti Region. I am the only person who has the legitimate power to use force and nobody apart from the police can do so.”

DCOP Nathan Kofi Boakye since taking office in the Ashanti Region continues to receive commendation for his massive role in clamping down the activities of armed robbers, injecting discipline into his men and championing a facelift of the Ashanti Regional Police Command.