Mass transfer for galamsey Cops

Information that reached DAILY GUIDE on Monday indicates that the committee of enquiry set up by the Central Regional Minister, Samuel Sarpong to investigate the recent death of two illegal miners at Bimpong Egya in the Twifo Atti Morkwa district of the Central Region has recommended the transfer of all 10 police officers whose presence in the town resulted in the death of the two persons.

The committee has also instructed the police administration to take disciplinary action against the leader of the task force, Lance Corporal Alexander Agbenyo for refusing to brief the Central Regional Commander, DCOP Ransford Ninson and also to log what transpired during the operation in the police log book.

According to sources, the transfer was necessary due to constant threat on the lives of the police officers by the aggrieved persons and members of the community.

The report, according to information available to DAILY GUIDE, was presented to Mr Sarpong on Monday.

DAILY GUIDE further gathered that the Committee suggested the transfer of the additional 26 police officers who have served in the district for more than six years since they had become familiar with the people and could not discharge their duties well.

The Committee added that the chiefs and people of the town including the opinion leaders, had lost confidence in the District Police Commander, hence the need for his immediate transfer.

The committee gathered through an autopsy report signed by Dr. Patrick Kafui Akakpo of the Central Regional Hospital that the deceased persons did not die through gunshot but as a result of drowning.

They have therefore recommended that some form of compensation be given to the bereaved families.

Mr Sarpong who received the report thanked the committee members for the good work done, adding that the Regional Security Council would study the report and take a decision on it.

It would be recalled that DAILY GUIDE about two weeks ago published a story with the headline, “Two Illegal Miners Drowned”. The two were alleged to have been chased and shot before they fell in the Pra River for engaging in illegally mining.

The death of the two generated a lot of tension at Twifo Praso where residents of Bimpomgya sent the bodies to the police station for the police officers to eat.

It took the intervention of the chief of the area and other opinion leaders to plead with the irate youth to allow the police to send the bodies to the Central Regional Hospital Morgue.