Military should be in charge of attacks on police cases – Dr. Aning

A security analyst, Dr Kwasi Aning, has stated that the Ghana Armed Forces is in a better position to be in charge of investigations involving attacks on police personnel in the country.

According to Dr Aning, the psychological trauma and pain as a result of the recent deaths is enough for the police to stay out of probing which, he insists, must be devoid of emotions.

“I think we’ve got to do two things – first we’ve mourned them and we’ve shown the dead respect. So no we have to move from the altruistic side and bring in the hard core analysis devoid of emotions,” he said.

Speaking on Good Evening Ghana Thursday evening on ‘The Security Situation in Ghana’, he stated that having the military see to it that offenders are caught and dealt with is necessary for the reputation of the country which according to him, needs to be protected at all cost.

He emphasized that, “When you have your uniform officers gunned down by criminals, those criminals are not fought – actually not by the police anymore. It is the military that comes in and does the fight”.

The Security expert was of the opinion that Ghana has not “done too well” by empowering the Military to look into crime issues and contribute to solve criminal mysteries.

This action he thinks, needs serious consideration in respect to the upsurge of crimes committed in the country because of “expanding unplanned urban spaces” over the last few years”.

Background

Five police officers have been killed in the line of duty within the last 30 days. Many security experts have attributed it to the lack of logistics for police personnel who ensure law and order in the country.

The latest is the gory killing of two policemen by some armed robbers at Kasoa.

Meanwhile, the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery has directed the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) to immediately arm officers who are on traffic duty.

He said James Oppong Boanuh should provide the officers with bullet-proof vests and helmets to enable them “exercise their right to self-defence effectively when they meet such callous and barbaric persons”.