Interior Ministry must probe police conduct at LMCA demo

Professor Ken Attafuah, a criminology professor has urged the Ministry of Interior in charge of the Ghana Police Service to take up the call of President John Dramani Mahama to lead the investigation into the Police conduct in the Let Vote Count Alliance demonstration.

President Mahama, at the Asogli Yam Festival at Ho, on Saturday, September 19, is reported to have said that, “I have held discussions with the police authority and urged the command to review the unfortunate event of last Wednesday in line with policies and procedures that officers are expected to follow in response to incidents of this sort. The basic rights of all citizens must be recognised and respected at all times.”

Nana Akufo-Addo, the NPP Flagbearer in Bolgatanga, a day after the assaults, said a commission of inquiry is the only way to unearth the truth about what happened on that fateful Wednesday, and make the appropriate recommendations to forestall its reoccurrence.

But Professor Ken Attafuah on Oman Fm’s National Agenda has charged the Ministry of Interior to lead the investigation to unravel the truth in the Police conduct as there have been several cases the police, investigating itself, was not able to come out with accurate reports.

He also mentioned that representatives from the Human Right and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and other civilian bodies should join the Interior Ministry in the investigation into the conduct of the police in the Let My Vote Count Alliance protest.

“Security institutions have always disappointed us to investigate themselves to come out with the truth and accurate report on their misconduct. There are instances where the police attacked NPP headquarters in 2012 in a Rambo style and some perceived armed robbers were killed but the police investigating itself did not come out with an accurate report,” he hinted.

He was therefore of the opinion that the Ministry of Interior should see that compelling need to investigate the police conduct since the police can’t investigate itself to come out with a good and accurate report on a situation the police authority has justified their actions against the LMVCA demonstration.

He, however, advised the police to be circumspect in its dealings with protesters since the police have the requisite knowledge to tame defiant protesters in a lawful manner; condemning that their actions was unlawful, which need to be investigated.