Motor check suspension not political – Cephas Arthur

Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Cephas Arthur, has dispelled rumors that the orders by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to suspend motor checks on the road has some political connotation.

According to him, the order is a normal change in operational strategies to give more attention to traffic management, getting close to Christmas season.

A leaked internal memo from the Ghana Police Service went viral on social media on Tuesday, instructing Regional, Divisional and District Commanders to use MTTD personnel for traffic management duties only.

The order attracted a lot of backlashes from the public, since the memo contained no reason for the directive.

Top among the speculations was that President John Mahama, through the IGP was allowing drivers the free will to do whatever they want on the road until elections are over, as a way of vote buying by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

However, in an interview with Kwame Sefa Kayi, on Peace FM’s Kokrooko morning talk show, on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, Superintendent Cephas Arthur denied the allegation and retorted that the only effect it will have on elections is the free flow of traffic for parties embarking on campaign.

He thus indicated that their focus was on freeing the road from criminalities, that is why the memo is instructive for MTTD to keep a vigilant watch for persons carrying arms, ammunitions and drugs as well.

Asked if the order now gives persons without license, road worthy and insurance the free-will to drive freely on the roads, the Police PRO replied that it will not be an illegality on the part of the police man to request for them on suspicion.

As for how an internal memo became public, he said it was a mystery yet to be unraveled by the police force but assured that the Service will use internal structures to deal with it.

Sup. Arthur therefore seized the opportunity to warn drivers not to abuse the order given to the MTTD because a suspension of it could be given at any time and that may not be made public.