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General News of Monday, 2 September 2019

Source: abcnewsgh.com

Arming MTTD officers will put innocent civilians at risk – Ex Commander

File Photo: Some officers of MTTD File Photo: Some officers of MTTD

Colonel Rt. Festus Aboagye, former commander of the Ghana Battalion in ECOMOG has asserted that the Interior Minister’s directive to the Acting IGP to arm all MTTD officers will put the lives of innocent civilians at risk, ABC News can report.

Interior Minster, Ambrose Dery last week directed the Acting IGP, James Oppong Boanuh to arm all officers of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) following the killing of two MTTD officers at Kasoa Buduburam in the Central Region.

Since the directive was given, a number of officials of the MTTD have since been seen wielding weapons while on traffic duties.

But the move has been criticised by a former commander of the Service.

Col. Festus Aboagye is not convinced that arming MTTD officers is the right way to go in the wake of recent developments.

Speaking on TV3’s key Points, Col Aboagye said the arming of MTTD officials has the propensity to increase the risk of civilians being shot rampantly by these officers.

“Anybody who bears arms must be classified every year. It is something that must be done. You must not compromise on it.” he said.