Nine dismissed constables ask for reinstatement

Accra, Oct. 20, GNA - Nine Constables, who refused to write the promotion examination in 1987 and were dismissed from the Ghana Police Service on Monday called on the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) to recommend for their reinstatement to the rank of Inspectors.

Mr Prince Gabriel Kwami, dismissed at the rank of detective constable and who stood in for the nine, said they enlisted into the Police Service in 1978 and worked for nine years before they were asked to write the examination to be promoted to Sergeant.

He said at that time promotion from constable to sergeant was based on seniority and they refused to write the examination because no explanation was given to them for its sudden introduction. They were given two weeks to prepare for the examinations.

Mr Kwami said later those in the regions went against their decision and wrote the examination adding that some of the constables in Accra, who had the information also rushed to do so.

He said later those, who failed to write the examination, were asked to appear before a board of enquiry chaired by Mr Eric Owusu Fordjour, where they realised that about 90 of them failed to sit for the examination.

The Witness said all the 90 were dismissed adding that about 19 of their colleagues were later reinstated. He said the rest of them later petitioned the Police Administration and the Justice Archer Committee for their reinstatement adding that they never received any reply.

Mr Kwami said as a result of their dismissal, they were ejected from the barracks; the education of their children was thwarted whilst some suffered broken marriages.

In response, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Erskine noted that it was due to their disobedience to authority that had landed them in that situation.

He called on the Police Service to adopt the mechanisms of promotions as pertained in the Ghana Armed Forces for a smooth and easier administration.