Ghana’s BNI—stay off Media radar!!

Stuggart-Germany—Ghana's BNI should trek-off the media radar to enable its agents perform to the maximum—operating effectively on 'under-cover' activities, says Political critic, Kwaku Boatin.

“BNI (Bureau of National Investigations), present frontline media coverage is undermining its operations; agents or officers are reportedly flagging their cards under the noses of the populace; they should be brought into line and disciplined”.

Speaking on “Africa—2 scores 10 years of independence” at 'Friends'—an African cultural advocacy group forum, Kwaku Boatin indicates that, relentless Presidential assaults on the Judiciary in Africa have eroded confidence and effectiveness of Court and Police systems, rendering such august institutions flat-foot and impotent.

He says, unless the Judicial system of Court and the Police recover their Independence and the institutions de-politicized; Presidents seize to cross the 'red-line' to interfere in the institutions, allowing the courts and Police the autonomy to perform, Africa's recovery from the 'devil's yawing teeth', to bite into Public treasurer will continue to get worse, adding: “we will continue to see/hear worse corruption cases amounting to billions of dollars”.

Referring to Press reports on recent arrest/detention of DSP Tehoda, with Headlines as:, “DSP Tehoda released from BNI cells, BNI rubbish court order, BNI to grill Wereko-Brobbey” and minute to minute Press account on investigations leading to the arrest of what has come to be known as “cocaine kin-pin”, like a football commentary, he described such reports as quite “disagreeable and irrepressible” which goes to undermine police investigations.

“I am ardent supporter of free speech, but such over-blown enthusiasms to be 1st to get to the Media, must be controlled, to allow proper/effective investigations into high profile cases.

“The said 'gargantuan debt” issue is not only an issue of a national debt, but has become a matter of National security concern, since it stands as a treat to undermine Ghana's economic survival: there is the need, therefore for an independent Body to investigate thoroughly, to get to the bottom of the whole problem.

Ghana's salvation?
He said the BNI, formerly Special Branch, tailored on British Secret polices service ,stands as one of Ghana's only salvation—a savior to combating corruption/subversion in all forms, institutionalized on not; this could be effective, when the service is properly de-politicized, re-organized and supervised,

“ Recruiting, its vetting methods be revamped, its services made more attractive, to be infused with qualified personnel , while moral is raised with improved working conditions, and basic working tools provided.

Kwaku Boatin, says: “BNI must be provided with tools to work, ultra modern communication gadgets, and vehicles: intensive training programs to enable it cope with rough 21-century challenges: mankind is facing rough times in our history; probably stemming out of world-wide economic nose-dive, not an excuse: Europe is facing one of the worst crime wave, but the police is well prepared in a countries like Switzerland, Britain, Germany, and are fighting back, gaining good results.

“The BNI as it stand s today, has gone through a painful checkered/bumpy history since independence; suffering from political-Executive and party—interference, making it loose its total freedom, and allowing such august organization to titter under the whims and caprices of self-centered political individuals , to undermine its high credibility.

“A case of the alleged woyome-gate affairs, the BNI should have had a wing of the evil manipulations to stop its implementation, this is what the service was set up for...to noose round for prevention, of course when the tools have been provided.”

Personality-cult:
Once upon a time, he says the service allegedly experienced its worst moments in intelligence history, under a form of personality-cult/idol worshipping practices under one Mr. C.K. Mawenyegah: this officer allegedly turned himself into a Hindu demigod, GARUDA (Garuda is depicted as having the golden body of a strong man with a white face, red wings, and an eagle's beak and was said to be massive, large enough to block out the sun). He ran the service as his personal property, a CEO who was accountable to none; Reports allegedly indicated, Mawuenyegah supposedly introduced some of the worst tribal elements-tribalism and nepotism-- ever seen in Ghana, favoring his EWE tribesmen in the service.

“One other serving officer, who took over the helms of affairs, one Mr. Wireko, of Akan origin, reportedly during his turner, also spin the service into a kind of ping-pong—in retaliation, to favor his AKAN tribes men. During all these periods, this sort of behavior introduced one of the worst tribal facets in administration—fixing of square pegs in rounds wholes, cronyism and favoritism.

“The running of the BNI, heavily politicized for years, and swinging to the dictates of particular party in power, should attract Parliamentary non-partisan investigations to weed out all evils, which have long time undermine its operations. The organization should operate in the format of the USA's FBI, to prevent mafia type of attitudes and behavior, which has been nursing criminality and encouraging organized crime culture in the society”.

Parliamentary role?
He reminded authorities like Parliament, wielding powerful political power in the society not to shy away from assisting BNI, to re-shape it destiny, to enable it function effectively, adding “when the CIA faltered on Iraq, the USA House of Representatives and Senate moved in to help re-shape it, reshaping its tool and teeth. Laws must also be enacted to encourage and protect 'whistle blowers' to help unearth evil mal-practices and crime mysteries.

Kwaku Boatin says, “Ghana which forms part of this planet earth could not live in isolation and need to sharpen its tools to enable to wither the worst storms to be able to face some of the unforeseen circumstances, which would turn to undermine its growth.

“Ugly nature of corruption in all its forms are attacking the very fabric of society, criminality in all shapes, armed robbery, car-jacking, dreaded women's fear of rape, are some of the evils confronting society today. Institutions like BNI/CID must be well equipped and ready to confront the devil.

“Ghana should not lower its guard on rigid implementation of law and order and never allow the gang/gangsters to take control of the streets and institution. Give the police the tools to work with to be able to protect lives and properties. Government should with Parliamentary approval should set-up special Police Fund, by imposing taxes on security walls around private homes in urban centers to finance the Police: such a fund , because of importance of Police system, should be managed by Parliamentary select committee, assisted by Accountant/Auditor Generals.

“The people feel they're not safe at home, becoming prisoners in their own homes by barricading themselves behind ugly high security walls + barber- wires: we must well equip the police, boost morale in the service, with better working conditions to assure people of their safety and security”.