A cross section of participants at the forum
The Yilo Krobo Anti-Corruption Advocacy Committee, YKAAC, with support from Socioserve has organized a public education forum on Anti-corruption and the rule of Law involving police and civilians for residents of Plau and Salosi electoral areas of Somanya in the Eastern region and police personnel in the municipal.
The forum was aimed at raising awareness of corruption among the citizenry while promoting police, civilian corporation and peaceful co-existence and increase awareness of the operations of the police and the anti-corruption body.
The forum was attended by the general public which provided the opportunity for questions and answers from all sides.
The event formed part of activities under YKACC’s integrity, anti-corruption, transparency, participation and accountability series which is part of STAR-Ghana and Socioserve’s anti-corruption campaigns being piloted and coordinated in five districts including Yilo Krobo.
The fora are aimed at contributing to the fight against corruption by increasing the integrity, transparency and accountability of public institutions and businesses, while empowering civil society to advocate for change in policy and practice, including better enforcement of anticorruption legislations, policies and practices.
Municipal Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, CHRAJ in Yilo Krobo, Mr. James Awuni, averred that reports of civilian, police mistrust and policing, informed the purpose of the forum which was geared towards addressing community, police engagements and enhance the dealings of the police with civilians.
Stressing on the need for civilians to give information to the police, Mr. Awuni said this would assist the police to better protect the citizenry.
As corruption remains one of the most pervasive social ills, the CHRAJ director who expressed his delight at the turnout and participation of the participants educated participants on the canker including how to identify corruption.
The coalition is currently employing radio and community engagements to propagate its anti-corruption agenda with Mr. Awuni expressing his optimism to reach out to more communities in the ongoing process.
The forum also acknowledged the need for a cordial relationship between civilians and the police and the various roles the two parties play in the fight against corruption.
On his part, Commander of the Somanya Police Command and a member of the committee reiterated that the sole responsibilities of the police are to protect lives and property while ensuring that residents co-existed peacefully.
Impressed with the forum which provided a good rapport between civilians and the police, the Police Commander, Mr. Otsin assured them of the readiness of the service to assist them in their times of difficulty.
Denouncing the perception that the police are foes to the public, ASP Otsin had this to say, “The Police are not bad, the police are rather to protect lives and properties”, he underscored.
He called on the citizenry to volunteer useful information to the police to help the service in unraveling acts of crime.
He however cautioned residents to follow the provisions of the public order act and seek the necessary permit when embarking on protests to avoid needless civilian, police confrontations which sometimes resulted in casualties.
