Police PRO suspects media of hidden agenda

… in the fight against armed robbery

The police administration is accusing some media houses of what it says is a deliberate attempt to create panic and fear among the public about a resurgence of armed robbery in some parts of the country.

ASP Kwesi Ofori, Acting Director of the Police PR Unit told the dailyEXPRESS that some media houses have cultivated the habit of over dramatizing robbery cases anytime they the issue comes up for discussion on their networks.

Mr. Ofori who did not mention any particular radio station maintained during the interview that the police have been very particular about an agenda setting by some media houses where a single report of an incident of crime is handled in such a manner that ends up creating fear and insecurity among the populace.

The Police spokesman argued that a single criminal case will become the very issue that most media houses, especially the electronic ones will devote lot of airtime and newspaper space creating lots of doubts in the minds of the public about the commitment of the police in combating crime.

Recent cases of instant justice meted out to some suspected criminals in parts of the country have heightened perceptions that police are not on top of their game when it comes to dealing with crime.

ASP Kwesi Ofori however says mob or instant justice is not an indication that the police have lost the fight to combat crime in the country.

“In every growing economy you might experience crime of this nature but the police and security services have done a lot” he said in defence.

He however acknowledged isolated cases of crime which he agrees that the police should have tackled.

Current statistics on crime in Ghana put the figure as of 2005 at 1,399 cases nationwide. Out of this figure, the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions recorded over 77 percent, while the rest were recorded in the rest of the eight regions.

ASP Ofori explained that since then, residential and highway robberies have been reduced considerable over the past months. He however said that what is on the increase is cyber crime.

He confirmed the establishment of a unit by the police to deal with cyber crimes, and expressed confidence that it will soon be a thing of the past.

ASP Ofori also mentioned that traffic accidents have reduced, adding that the police are doing all that they can to make sure the record is improved from time to time.

He added that the police, like any other institution, is faced with challenges but will still continue to uphold their loyalty to the good people of this country.