IGP must back his words with action - CPP

Nii Armah Akomfrah

The Director of Communications for the Convention People's Party (CPP), Nii Armah Akomfrah is charging the Inspector General of Police, Paul Tawiah Quaye, to go beyond the rhetorics and back his words with action.

According to Akomfrah, recent violence that has rocked the ongoing biometric registration exercise has cast a slur on the integrity and professionalism of the Police Service; therefore the IGP must act swiftly to win back the confidence of Ghanaians ahead of the December polls.

The IGP in a meeting with Interior Minister William Kwasi Aboah where the latter was briefed on the state of Ghana's security in the run-up to elections in December at the Police Headquarters Wednesday, served a notice to deal ruthlessly with rabble-rousers who will threaten the security of the state.

He assured that the Police Service will not condone any act of violence but will remain neutral in the discharge of its duties to ensure that Ghana remains peaceful throughout the election.

Meanwhile, speaking on Asempa FM's Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday, Nii Armah Akomfrah said the IGP's comment is long over due.

He noted that the ability of the police to maintain law and order in the volatile political atmosphere in the country has been called into question considering reports of 'unprofessional' conduct by some police officers under his [IGP's] watch.

The CPP's director of communications indicated that the Police Service have a constitutional duty to maintain law and order thus the country needs to be re-assured of their [police] neutrality to prevent aggrieved citizens from using unorthodox means to obtain justice.

“Occasionally we need to see the head of our Police Service in the public eye telling us that he is in control and willing to show concern to all of us.”

He added: “I was encouraged that finally the Interior Minister and the IGP came together to talk about national security. It is important they signal the country that those responsible for the security in this country are taking their [Ghanaians] concerns seriously”.

Nii Armah Akomfrah observed that the police must be proactive to avert any pandemonium in the round up to the December general elections.

Meanwhile, the National Organizer of the People's National Convention (PNC) Emmanuel Wilson, who was a co-panelist, commended the police administration for re-assuring Ghanaians of adequate security in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

He called on all political parties to collaborate with the police to ensure peace before, during and after the December elections.