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26.11.2010 Feature Article

GHANA: ARMED ROBBERY AND THE COST OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

GHANA: ARMED ROBBERY AND THE COST OF HUMAN RIGHTS.
26.11.2010 LISTEN

There's public anxiety, emotional distress and state of fear over the worsening state of the country's insecurity. Ghana is under siege from the tsunami of armed robbery. It's disheartening that the Government has so far failed to take drastic and effective measures to stem the increasing wave of this violent and murderous crime. Of recent past, Atta Ayi and Johnson Kombian have come to epitomise the daring, ruthless and sophisticated armed robbery which is very fast spreading like a harmattan wildfire. As a nation, we must forensically understand the challenges we face as our society is descending into violent lawlessness with impunity.

The Government's inability to apprehend some of these robbers is largely responsible for the impunity with which these armed robbers operate. Due to lack of police intelligent network on foreign and local criminal gangs and individuals, lack of night patrols, weak combat readiness due to lack of resources and effective security programs, armed robbers are increasingly holding this country hostage. The seemingly inaction and silence by President Mills and the security authorities smacks of insensitivity, hypocrisy and incompetence! It's President Mills's prime responsibility to guarantee the security and welfare of the public. At this moment in time, Ghanaians, tourists, foreign investors fear for their safety!

The modus operandi of these armed robbers is targeting private homes, businesses, mount roadblocks on highways to rob motorists en masse and car snatching to deadly effect. There're Ghanaians out there who give sanctuary to these armed robbers and shouldn't be spared the full force of the law as accomplices. Members of the general public are also urged to provide the police with information on suspicious characters involved in nefarious activities, and when they witness criminal activity taking place. The public outcry and demands for retribution are swift and loud with calls for the Death Penalty or they should spend the rest of their lives behind bars. The general public verdict is execution! However, in the eyes of the law, the Rule of Law must be applied by the Criminal Justice System. But while it is vital that free societies do maintain people's rights and liberties, the fundamental challenge, then is to strike the right balance between our security and civil liberties. Yes, Human Rights and the Rule of Law must always be respected. As I see it, armed robbery is in itself a direct attack on Human Rights and the Rule of Law. We cannot hand victory to armed robbers because of “obsessive” claims by “bandwagons “of Human Rights Groups and Lawyers. Armed robbery is inexcusable crime and not an oppressed minority issue. Is it only criminals who have rights? Why wouldn't those advocates/lawyers take on the plight of children being taught under shady trees and roofless structures? Isn't education a right or to those advocates/lawyers education is a privilege?

We need to repeal certain Human Rights Acts that fail to protect our security but in the process undermines the rights of decent law abiding citizens, inhibiting law enforcement and handling of convicted violent and dangerous criminals. How do you put 'violent serial jail breakers' in prison without looking at the 'genuine and present risk' to the safety of the public? The Criminal Justice System in our country is not working. Since the democratisation of this country, all Governments have tried to be tough on crime but have failed. This is partly undermined by Human Rights Acts, complex and time consuming legal process. These are often the perverse consequence of the Human Rights Acts. And this is where, just as with the Criminal Justice System, we also need to consider the indirect impact of the Human Rights Acts to suit our socio cultural problems. We need meaningful and harshest punishment to safeguard the interests of the innocent majority which was the motive for the existence of the Human Rights Acts. However, the Government should equip the police with the required logistics, set up Elite Anti-Robbery Police Units of joint military operations, confront the challenges of influx of arms and weapons across our borders, share security intelligence on hardened criminals with neighbouring countries and improve the structural capabilities of our prisons. Armed robbery has no political affiliations and does not respect any victim's human rights. We're all in this together.

Author: Lonto-Boy.

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