EDITORIAL: Assuring Ghanaians of Effective Security in Ghana

The Ghana Inspector General of Police, Nana Owusu Nsiah is reported to have assured overseas Ghanaians that the Ghana Police now has the upper hand in crime prevention and that overseas Ghanaians should not be afraid to go home. He is also reported to have admitted that the Ghana Police is also cleaning its dirty act and doing the work that they are hired, trained and paid to do. He said that, "the government has also given us reasons to desist from some of our misdeeds that tarnished our image". He announced that there has not been any single case of armed robbery in Accra between may 19 and May 31.

The IGP was obviously looking for praises and applause when he addressed Ghanaians in the Washington Area on Tuesday June 3, 2003. He got a little applause. But The Ghanaian News has no praises and applause to offer the IGP and his outfit. We are however delighted that Mr. Owusu Nsiah had the courage to admit that the Police really did engage in misdeeds and that as a result of the actions and policies of the current government (we believe it concerns equipment, uniforms and pay hikes), the Police have decided to protect the public instead of aligning themselves with criminals in some instances. Or refusing to act to prevent crimes in many cases. Or worse still, failing or unwilling to follow leads that are provided to them to prevent crimes or solve them when they are committed.

The Ghanaian population has long suspected that some Police officers were fully involved in armed robberies either directly or indirectly. And this was what was making the prevention of crimes or the arrest of suspected criminals very difficult. Now that the IGP himself has admitted that his outfit will not engage or support these acts, we wish to believe him or give him the benefit of doubt to prove himself. This is the first time ever-in Ghana’s history.... at least since we grew up... that the top cop in Ghana is owing up to misdeeds in his outfit. We hope that this signals a real positive change and the signs of better behavior and effectiveness from the police.

The IGP was right: the crime wave had scared so many people outside Ghana to the extent that many had postponed visits to that country indefinitely. Others who dared have had horror stories to tell. Now that the IGP is promising a new chapter in the field of security we hope it will not be long for Ghanaians to really feel and breathe an air of freedom from thugs who recently ruled the streets and highways of the country. We will be watching. And we will hold the IGP to his word. He should deliver, because that is the reason why he was promoted to that responsible position. He and his outfit owe Ghana their total and unflinching devotion to duty.

The progress of our nation depends first and foremost on security on our streets. The next time the IGP speaks to Ghanaians anywhere: at home or abroad, he should be proud to announce the non-occurrence of armed robbery NOT over a three-week period: He should be proud to stand up and announce the absence of violent crime over a two-year period or more!!