IN early March, soldiers turned part of Ashaiman on its head in search of the killers of a young soldier who was murdered in the community.
That usurpation of police function, in the most draconian way, diverted attention from all the sympathy the young soldier and his family deserved.
The high-handedness of the military attracted disapproval from human rights activists and praise from those who thought the only way to deal with such a crime was for the military to invade the community, round up 184 people for torture.
Our military is celebrated globally for its professionalism. Citizens of Lebanon, Liberia, Congo DR, Cote d’Ivoire, Sudan among others attest to this fact. It is the reason its recent outburst raises concern.
ironically, the military high command legitimised the violence and shocked a nation that has almost recovered from the excesses of the military in the 1980s.
Don’t get me wrong, the killing of the young man was wrong and the perpetrators deserve whatever punishment the law prescribes. Once we have signed onto the chapters of rule of law, we must allow the law to take its course.
Interestingly, all the suspects the military picked up were released days later. Steps in the police. They arrested six people connected to the reprehensive crime.
According to a Daily Graphic report, the arrest followed an intelligence-led, week-long police operation.
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First
This is not the first time the police showed that they can be professional when given the right motivation, tools and the environment to work.
However, the reality with the work of the police is interference.
Some opinion leaders including pastors, chiefs, politicians, lawyers and other high-ranking personalities in our society often stand in the way of justice by interfering in the work of the police, which negatively affects their professionalism.
In a society where patronage is a major challenge for police officers, it is commendable that they continue to fight crime and live up to their mandate.
Breaking back of crime
In September, 2021, the police arrested Josephine Panyin Mensah, 28, who allegedly went missing in Takoradi in the Western Region.
This was at a time kidnaping in the country had been rife. It came on the back of the rather sad episode involving the missing three Takoradi girls.
A few people took it lightly when the police claimed the ‘pregnant woman had faked her kidnap.
Josephine, after grilling, according to the police, confessed that her pregnancy and kidnap story was a hoax.
Her mother, Agnes Essel, and her husband, Michael Simons, a mobile phone operator, who were earlier apprehended for conspiracy, were released because they were not aware Josephine was allegedly faking the pregnancy.
“The suspect, Josephine, had confessed to the police during further investigations that she was neither pregnant nor kidnapped,” the Ghanaian Times quoted a police source as saying. Months later, she was jailed.
That is not all.
On-December 9, 2022, armed men on motorbikes attacked, shot and robbed a Chinese woman of some valuables at Caprice, a suburb in Accra. They disappeared before the police reached the scene.
According to a GNA report, the victim told the police that the robbers took her GH₵370,000, which she had earlier withdrawn on the day of the incident.
A few days later, the accused persons were later apprehended, while others escaped. Their trial is ongoing.
There are hundreds of similar cases the police have cracked.
While one cannot absolve the police of unleashing violence, the evidence suggests a few bad lots within the service descend into such levels of unprofessionalism.
It is satisfying that the police administration weeds out such characters. In 2012, a total of 947 policemen and women were dismissed from the Ghana Police Service for various acts of misconduct within three years, the Chronicle reported.
The swift response by the police to the Ashaiman crime and the subsequent arrest of the suspected perpetrators is heartwarming. The professionalism the police exhibited deserves applause.
It is the reason I say bravo, Ghana Police. Thumbs up!
By Dr Paul Kofi Fynn
The writer is the Founder/Chancellor, Wisconsin International University College/immediate past President, West Africa Nobles Forum
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com
