Women's coalition urges President to solve serial killings

ACCRA, January 11 -- Sister Keepers, a non-partisan coalition of women, on Wednesday appealed to President John A. Kufuor to take concrete steps that will solve the serial murders of women.

Ms Elizabeth Akpalu, Co-ordinator of Sisters Keepers, told a press conference in Accra that women are appalled at the inability of the police to unravel the mysteries surrounding the murders.

She said numerous demands by groups such as theirs on the issue had seen no concrete action to resolve the killings. "The continuing murders of women in Accra proves that the Ghana Police, under the command of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Peter Nanfuri, was not deployed or organised to serve the public interest," she said.

"Under the current IGP, the police operate according to priorities that are suitable to them and neglect what women and the public need." She called for the immediate replacement of the IGP, the institution of concrete plan of action to solve the problem, and make public on-going details about the nature of the crime against women.

"We can no longer tolerate the anti-people and anti-women attitudes repeatedly demonstrated by the head of the police," Mrs Akpalu added. She appealed to the new government to accept that this is not a partisan issue, adding, "all women and men are concerned and we ask that you initiate action to alley the fears of women".

The Sisters Keepers congratulate Mr Kufuor on his assumption of office as the president of Ghana. "We wish him and his team well," Mrs Akpalu added.