Rawlings' actions in 1979 cause of civilian impunity against Police - Security Analyst

Dean of Academic Affairs at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso says the commencement of a degraded relationship between Ghanaian civilians and the Police stemmed from a revolution in 1979; a result of a coup d’état led by former President Jerry John Rawlings.

The Military leader usurped the hierarchy as a junior officer together with some colleagues to take control of the government in power.

Dr Antwi-Danso who also doubles as a security analyst, commenting on the increasing spate of attacks on Police in the country explained that after the 1979 revolution, citizens were confident to disrespect security apparatus and flout the law with the mantra “Obiaa nye obiaa”- to wit, no one person is above the other.

“The basic cause of this kind of phenomenon in our society is the general indiscipline within the country. The society has become more indisciplined and it started from the 1979 revolution when hierarchies were disturbed... ‘Obiaa nye obiaa’ kind of thing. People took upon themselves the right to do whatever they wanted to do in the name of the revolution…” he stated.

He added that “the period when we revered the Police and feared the Police all ended when from ’70 onwards it became a kind of defending the revolution no matter how the principles were being used… so hierarchies, institutionalism got lost.”

Background

On Wednesday, two Police officers were killed in a shooting incident with civilians bringing to five the total number of personnel murdered in the last month while carrying out their mandate.

The other three, including a woman, were killed in separate attacks few weeks ago.

Lance Corporal Alhassan Asare was found dead in a plastic chair while on guard duty at the Dukes Petroleum Filling station at Akyem Swedru in the Eastern region. According to the Police report, his rifle was in between his thighs having sustained severe gunshot wounds on the head.

General Corporal Agatha Nana Nabin was also killed while on snap check duties at Kumbungu in the Northern region.

She was shot at the back of the head with the bullet passing through the mouth and killing her instantly, media reports say.



Corporal Bernard Antwi, with the Manso Nkwanta District in the Ashanti Region, was shot dead by an unknown assailant and his weapon stolen by the assailants.

So far, suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings pending investigations, the latest being a prime suspect, Edric Kojo Duah on Saturday morning

Dr Vladimir Antwi Danso called for a ceasefire and admonished citizens to collaborate with the Police since their duty is to serve and protect the public.

"...There's a certain barrier between us and the Police. We should be friendly to the Police but when it comes to law enforcement we must assist them, rather than injure them and make their work more difficult." he maintained

Further commenting on the development, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia charged the Police to wear their bulletproof vests at all times after he received complaints from the service that personnel indicating that the vest was heavy and uncomfortable. He told them to be consistent in wearing the outfit since it would save their lives.