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Opinions of Wednesday, 14 October 2009

Columnist: Sarpong, Justice

A Cry From A Police Officer

Below is a email a Ghanaian Policeman sent to me seeking my assistance to bring it to the forum. I have no first hand knowledge about any of the charges being levelled by this Policeman. I am just assisting a fellow Ghanaian with a problem going on among the Police force.

ASSST IN PUBLICATION Tension is at the moment mounting among Ghanian Police Peacekepers at the Dafur region of Sudan over bribe monies collected from them by their Senior Officers.

2. The bribe collection which is affecing all Ghanaian Contigents in Darfur and elsewhere is currently creating problems among the 110 personnell that reported in Darfur

on 11/10/2008 and soon to end their mission on 10/11/09. 3. The contigent, led by C/Supt/Mr Awuni, SUPT/Mr. Akrasi and DSP MAVIS, on the arrival at the missiion compelleled the personnell to pay 500dollars each to be given to the IGP, other high level commnders at Accra HQRS. and to NDC OFFICIALS to finance the party.

4. That payment of the bribe would let the authorities approve an additional 6months duty tour to the one(1) year, they already have to spend.

5. That anyone who fail to pay would not only lose the 6months extension period but would not also be selected for another mission.

6. Personel therefore out of fear paid the 500dollars whilst others paid 300dollars.

7. Now the end of mission of the 110 personnell is drawing to a close- 10/11/09 - with personel expectng the 6months promised them by the Commanders,

8. Suprisingly, the Commanders had selected 26 names (including themselves) out of the 110 personnel, and submited to Acca to be given the 6months extension based on the reason that they paid higher amount.That those who paid less would be given their money back.

9, Aggrieved personnel are now asking the Authorities inDarfur and Accra to give them their monies back to them but to no avail.

10. They have threatend to use any means to ensure that their monies are paid to them.

11. There is currently an uneasy calm among the Affected Police Peacekeepers in Darfur. They are always seen gathered in groups of 10 and 4 dicussing further plans to retrieve their monies.

12. Situation does not augur well for the good image of the sevice and Ghana. Authorities must intervene to .arrest the corruption and the situation as other nationals are not comfortable with it

13. What has made the situation worse is the payment of over 2000dollars each that the Police administration would again collect from the peace keepers at the end of thier mission.

14. Two retired police officers namely, ASP/Mr Theophilus Nyadu, and C/Ispector DADZIE, among the contigent, have managed to bribe their way for their inclsion in the 26 names that had been sent to IGP for endrsement.

15. Standing by for your assstance and for the informaion of ghanain populace to save Ghana's image.

16. It is the view of aggrieved personel that dissaproval of 6 months extension for the 26 personnel by IGP could help ease tension. The 26 officers paid higher amount than their colleagues..

17. Write to my e-mail for any clarification.,

Thanks' to hear from you. Concened Ghanaian Police Peacekeeper in Darfur

Other Officers to contact; 1. IGP,(ACCRA) COMM/MR ANKOBIL,(HQRS) DSP/MR THEOHILUS NYADU( DARFUR) C/NSPECTOR DADZIE(DARFUR), ACP/MR ASAMPANA(COMDR. GHANA POLICE CONTIGENT IN SUDAN). Miister for Interor, Cletus Avoka. and DSP/Kwasi Ofori

Sarpong Justice