Open Letter To Sammy Awuku

“S? obi nnim wo a obu wo akoa bi”is an Akan saying meaning ‘when someone does not know you, he thinks you are just insignificant being’.
To describe the Inspector-General of Police, Paul Tawiah Quaye as ‘weak’ and therefore could be exploited to steal ballot boxes can at best be considered a mere political talk, coming from an untutored mind full of brain that can only spew infantile and unintelligible ideas.

The current IGP is arguably one of the best, if not the best IGP ever produced by the Ghana Police Service. In the first place, Mr. Paul Quaye is the only IGP in recent times who has eschewed both favouritism and tribalism in his administration.

Just a cursory scan through his schedule officers would prove to his avowed critics that his cabinet consists of officers of cross-section of the Ghanaian society - Mohammed Alhassan, Asante APEATU. Ofosu-Mensah Gyeabour, John Kudalor, Frank Adu-Poku, Prosper Agblor, Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, Goerge Akuffo Dampare, Timothy Ashley and David Nenyi Ampah Bennin. There is only one Ga amongst them.
He is a fair-minded person, who does not dabble in unnecessary tribal politics, very much unlike most of his predecessors who staffed their administration with people from their ethnic groupings who were perceived to have had sympathies for the ruling governments of their days. Is this a Man who is weak?
For those, who talk from excessive dose of political chaff, and would not strip themselves of the trappings of political prejudices, they should listen to what Paul Quaye’s predecessor, P.K. Acheampong said about his appointment as the IGP, and I paraphrase “they couldn’t have chosen a better IGP than Paul Tawiah Quaye”.
Paul Quaye is about the only person whose own peers had almost no issue against, and the entire police populace was ‘glow-lipped’ for his appointment to the high position of the IGP.
The bright rays of relief that shone on the entire service upon his appointment have been justified. Ever since his ascension to the office of the IGP, Mr. Paul Quaye has been the thumb that pressed the knob to set the wheel of transformation in motion.
This has seen reforms upon reforms thrown up at the turn of each point on the wheel. In his vision to position the Police Service on a pedestal that would make it comparable to any Police Service the world over, Mr. Paul Quaye’s administration has formulated and launched the Strategic National Policing Plan to serve as the guide-post for the development of the Service.
Secondly, the transformational leader has either established new units and departments in the service or reformed the existing ones to cater for the ever-changing challenges of the time. For instance, the SWAT TEAM has been created to respond to emergency situations: Whilst the Intelligence Unit has been established to deal with the ever-increasing demand for covert operations, the Marine Police has been crafted to reduce the problems that come with production of oil. This is far-sightedness being displayed by a foresighted leader.
As for the wolf-criers like Sammy Awuku, whose only intention for crying wolf when there is not even a grasshopper, must just be to cause mischief. They can continue to do so until thy-kingdom-come, when they will realize their folly.
It is rather unfortunate that Sammy, after all the gory record of security his own political tradition has gotten to its “credit” would point to the “artificial” highway robberies which has even been dealt with decisively, as a situation that undermined the competency of hardworking Paul Quaye.
One wonders what Sammy would say in those days of NPP administration, when fuel stations could not operate beyond 6:00pm, not only on our highways, but in our towns, cities and communities. It is interesting that people have chosen to be mute over the significant reduction in the legacy of armed robbery that they’d bequeathed to this Police Administration.
Indeed, it is unfathomable how the weakling born of a woman can steal ballot boxes. This can only be conceptualised in the fantasy of Sammy Awuku whose likes would clutch onto a straw on a turbulent marine journey to Political futility: Or perhaps these hallucinations are borne out of a palpable fear of one’s own shady past.
With all these strange allegations and criticisms coming out, one should not wonder when Sammy Awuku and his power-thirsty hounds come out with more destructive stories and insults against other responsible and respectable public officeholders. People should watch because “there could be many events in the womb of time to be delivered” by these people.
Paul Quaye’s thirst and penchant for excellence and professionalism in the Ghana Police Service has led him to codify and compile the various enactments on the Ghana Police Service into a single document to make for easy reference. In addition, his Administration has come out with a handbook and code of conduct to guide the Police Officer in the conduct of his day to day activities.
Furthermore, Mr. Paul Quaye has spearheaded the up-grading and refurbishment of the Forensic Laboratory with ultra-modern equipment to conduct DNA test, the first of its kind in the West African Sub-region.
What is more, the man who is described as weak and therefore, will steal ballot boxes has during his stewardship introduced the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) at the CID Headquarters, to facilitate investigation of crime to ensure effective and expedited justice delivery.
Just recently, the Police took delivery of some equipment including mobile clinics, communication equipment, mobile communication vehicles and generators. These are just a few of the successes the IGP has achieved ever since ascending the throne.
To top it all, the man Paul Quaye has enhanced professionalism in the Service by introducing training and re-training of all ranks of personnel in the Service to boost their confidence and skills. Today, the Policeman or policewoman is better positioned to deliver better service than yesteryears.
If any set of adjectives has become synonyms with Mr. Paul Quaye, they are incorruptible, discipline, tenacious, tough, gentle, diplomatic, respectful, respectable, non-compromising among others, and not “weak”.
And this is the man, who is described as weak and would therefore steal ballot boxes for Mills. Infantile! Infantile; folks!
Or perhaps it is because of Akwatia. But as for that, Sammy’s own boss has openly admitted that they (his party) orchestrated it when he said “Akwatia no, y?kyer? biribi kakraa bi” to wit ‘in Akwatia, we showed them something small’.
As for the suggestion that the IGP immediately took action against some Policemen when a Deputy Minister for the Interior made a complaint against them, and so he is malleable, it is as hollow as it is untenable.
Do his critics know the number of ministers, MPs and even District Chief Executives whose orders or requests were complied with hastily during their regime?
Paul Quaye only brought the said officers and began an investigative process, and people say he is weak? Good Gracious! Then all the past IGPs were weaker, yet they managed to provide security for elections conducted during their tenure.
The attack on the integrity of the IGP is clearly an attempt to destabilize the Service in the run-up to the 2012 general elections in order to disarm the Police. This won’t work, as the Service has gained fame in policing elections. At least, in recent times the Police have chalked an enviable record of having policed successive general elections to popular acclamations.
The Police will continue to do this, I believe, and ensure that 2012 becomes even more successful, especially, with more a competent IGP in the driving seat. Sammy Awuku and his masters’ plans will come to nought; God is in control, and Ghana will triumph.
Long live Paul Tawiah Quaye!
Long live Ghana Police Service!!
Long live Ghana!!!
JOHN KUMI, AGONA SWEDRU