Police brutality: NCCE condemns police assault on nursing mother

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has condemned in no uncertain terms, the horrific act by a police officer, who was on guard duty at a Midland Savings and Loans branch, captured in a video assaulting a nursing mother in a banking hall.

A press statement copied to Ghanaweb described the act as “outrageous, unacceptable and an affront to the dignity and fundamental human rights of the victim and the baby” adding “the cruelty and brutality of the police officer further breaches provisions of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana.”

“Articles 12 (1) states that : ‘The fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in this chapter shall be respected and upheld by the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary and all other organs of government and its agencies and 15 (1) states that: ‘The dignity of all persons shall be inviolable’”, the statement added.

The commission, therefore, called on the appropriate authorities to fast track investigations and ensure the perpetrators are punished duly, and asked for compensation for the victim for the “physical and psychological trauma that she has suffered.”

The communique signed by the Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs, Mrs Joyce Afutu, also implored the Police administration to hem brutalities meted at civilians by Police officers to avert mob justice.

The video which went viral in social media, captured an armed police officer, who was on guard duty at a Midland Savings and Loans branch, assaulting a woman holding a baby.



The police officer identified as Frederick Amanor, was seen first hitting the woman with an umbrella and later landed several punches on the face of the helpless woman, while workers of the bank looked on unconcerned.



Frederick Amanor, who also attempted to violently drag the victim out of the banking hall, was reported to have been arrested and in police custody, the police administration has also launched an investigation into the unfortunate incident.

The act has received wide condemnation from the Ghanaian populist, while management of Midland Savings and Loans has rendered an unqualified apology for the unacceptable act.