Former President John Dramani Mahama has chastised the Ghana Police Service for boycotting the one-year commemorative durbar of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.
According to the former president, the message from the Accra Region Police Command to divisional, district and unit commanders in the region not to detail officers to provide security for the event was unprofessional.
“Which professional police officer will send a message like this. it shows the bastardisation of the institutions of state that has taken place under this NPP administration.”
The NDC flagbearer who was saddened by the message, reminded police officers that their allegiance is to the constitution and country and not any political party in power.
“I read this notice and I felt sad and I believe our police officers must remember that their dedication and duty is to the state and the constitution and everything that they do they must remain neutral and non-partisan.”
He assured the gathering that his government, if voted into power, will work hard to restore the lost confidence of Ghanaians in the police service.
“It is a very sorry day for the police service to issue a command like this, asking all security personnel not to provide security personnel and to dissociate themselves from the event… I feel very sad but I promise we will take action when we come into office to restore the confidence of people of Ghana in the police service.”
Adding his voice to the issue, veteran journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jr. questioned the use of the police, if they are not ready to provide security at events which has personalities such as the former president in attendance.
“This is the first time in my life and perhaps the first time in recorded history that a police institution is calling on policemen not to provide security. Now if the police are not providing security, what is the police there for?” he said.
About five police officers, all suspected to be detailed to provide security for Former President John Dramani Mahama, were the only ones to be seen at the commemorative durbar held at the La Bawaleshie Presby Church on Friday, 31st January 2020.
A wireless message purported to be from the Accra Region Police Command and signed by one Emmanuel Afriyie Sakyi warned the various commanders under the region not to assign officers to provide security for the event.
“Information from the regional command indicates that the NDC and others intend to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence.DEPOL/AR directs no police officer should be detailed to provide security for the event. Indeed all police officers within the region must dissociate themselves from the event. Any officer found to have availed his/herself at the ceremony will be severely sanctioned. Accept for strict compliance,” the message read.
A shooting incident that took place at the residence of the NDC candidate for the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, Kwasi Delali Brempong, on January 31, 2019, marred the process which saw Lydia Seyram Alhassan emerging victories.
18 persons sustained injuries whilst an observer at one of the polling stations who is MP for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George was also assaulted by some National Security operatives.
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