IGP criticized for 'sitting there' while Captain disrespects senior police officer

Ag. IGP John Kudalor has been criticized for his public silence after some soldiers engaged in a fight over territory with his regional police commander during the NDC parliamentary primaries.

Edgar Wiredu, an insurance consultant, chastised the recently appointed Inspector General of Police for failing to publicly back the Tema Regional Police Commander after a ‘mere’ captain challenged her authority last Saturday.

Tema Regional Police Commander, (DCOP) Beatrice Zaakpa Vib-Sanziri was livid after soldiers believed to be about 50 descended on Ningo-Prampram around 5:00pm on Sunday claiming they had been detailed to maintain security there.

“The security of this election is my responsibility and they did not show respect to me as the Regional Police Commander”, a livid DCOP told the media.

Edgar zoomed in on last Sunday’s incident pointing out that it was an example of indiscipline in the Ghanaian society.

In an emotionally charged criticism, Edgar said he could not understand how ‘a DCOP, the equivalent of a one-star general in the army’ could be shown disrespect by a Captain.

‘Sadly enough, the IGP is sitting there. His officer has been put in such derogatory line and he is not talking’, Edgar said

Edgar Wiredu
Edgar expects the IGP to immediately get in touch with the Chief of Defence Staff and insist that the disrespectful conduct of his soldiers was unacceptable.

‘The IGP is sitting there…and he is not talking’, Edgar said.

He also expressed disappointment in the Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Djamgba Vanderpuije who has backed the actions of the police.

"This kind of indiscipline has to stop and you need a rough leader to bring such people to book", he said.

Positions have been taken over the incident. Deputy Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Djamgba Vanderpuije has backed the soldiers, pointing out the military had a reasonable basis to move in without the knowledge of the police.

The Greater Accra NDC Chairman Ade Coker has also criticised the DCOP for behaving “unprofessionally”. He said but for the intervention of the military; he together with other regional executives would have been lynched.

A scene at the Ningo area last Sunday
DCOP Beatrice Zaakpa Vib-Sanziri had explained to journalists “The captain was so disrespectful to me and I am sure if I was a soldier he won’t disrespect me in that manner. The behaviour they put up here simply shows that they have no respect for us.

“The crowd here is not violent so we don’t need the military here. And if anything at all and they claim they are here to help us, we are the ones who should determine what kind of help they will offer us”.

“They even went ahead to block roads so I called my boss to ask whoever asked them to come here to ask them to withdraw”.

Edgar maintains DCOP Vib-Sanziri was justified in being upset and expressed regret that her superiors did not rise to her defence.

Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline|Edwin Appiah|[email protected]