Police Deny Shoot Out Report

The Ghana Police Service has described as false, newspaper report about a shoot-out between the presidential guard unit and certain suspected armed robbers at the residence of the President.

In a press release, signed by the director of public relations, ASP Kwesi Ofori, the Police Administration explained that after investigating the report and interviewing the guards at the President?s residence, who stated they did not have any encounter with armed robbers, their conclusion is that, the report was unfounded.

?Police investigations into the alleged shooting by suspected armed robbers, who were reported to have opened fire on members of the presidential guard unit, is unfounded. Interviews conducted among the guards, disclosed that there was no encounter with the perceived robbers, and that no incident took place as reported? the release stated.

Residents around Nyaho Clinic and the Airport Residential Area, who were also contacted, according to the release, admitted however, hearing gunshots at about 4.00p.m. on May 15, 2005.

The release reminded the public about the explanation by the Armed Forces Public Relations that the gun-shots heard on the morning of May 15, 2005, were the ceremonial gun salute in honour of the departing Zambian President Mwanawasa.

The Police Administration has, in the same vein, advised those lawfully holding firearms not to discharge them in residential areas for no apparent reason.

The administration assured the public, however, that it would do everything possible to ensure the safety of all manner of persons in the country, but advised the media to be circumspect when reporting issues bordering on national security, because, according to it, not doing so can create insecurity and fear.