Election 2016, My Vote As A Police Officer And The Full Implementation Of The C.I.76 (Police Service Regulations 2012)

Very soon we have come to it again as country and people as we head towards the general elections. Stakes are very high for the politicians as well as the ordinary Ghanaian which the police officer is of no exception. Come December 7 2016, we will go to the polls to elect our president and members of parliament and as a result of that, many political leaders have started talking big on various platforms.

As a Ghanaian first before a police officer, I have been listening keenly to some of the politicians so that just in case one of them might convince me to vote for him or her but it appears none of them is impressing me enough to win my vote. All the campaign messages I have heard so far are very uninspiring based on my needs as a Ghanaian and a police officer. I have just one vote and who knows whether it is my vote that will determine the winner or not since one needs 50% plus one vote to afford one touch victory in the case of presidential?

Come this December, my vote is just one like any other Ghanaian and that vote is the full implementation of Police Service Regulations 2012 popularly known as the C.I 76. As a young police officer who wants to vote based on issues other than party affiliations, sentiments or on tribal lines, my presidential vote as well as parliamentary vote is the full implementation of the C.I 76 and nothing else. That is the only thing I want to see on the ballot paper come December 7 2016.

As the elections draw close and closer, the ordinary police officer will not rest. He will be at various political campaign grounds to ensure that the politician preaches his political gospel and make promises to the masses without even having the police officer who is making the atmosphere conducive for his political activities in mind. During this electioneering season, some police officers may even lose their lives in effort to make situations safer for the politicians to have smooth atmosphere to run their campaigns. Some will sustain irreparable damages and injuries but they will go home to become burdens on their families. I still remember how I was nearly killed in 2008 at a polling station in the Eastern Region just because I was trying to protect a stubborn polling agent. It still scares me especially this year that our political parties seem to have unresolved disputes on the electoral roll.

Some police officers will die for politicians to win power only to go and sit on radio and TV stations and reward the police officer with insults. He meets the police officer at the barrier and calls him or her corrupt when he perfectly knows that the C.I 76 which is supposed to bring improvements in the life of the ordinary police officer is not fully implemented. Currently it is only the punitive aspects in the C.I 76 which are being enforced effectively compared to other lucrative welfare provisions specified in the same C.I 76. Many police officers are being dismissed, reduced in ranks and some are facing disciplinary enquiries using the C.I 76 as the basis but on welfare situations, the police officer is left to his fate and mercies of God. How can a single document receive partial implementation? It is only here in Ghana and nowhere else. It is only here in Ghana that less is giving to police officers but much and much more is expected from them including their lives.

I have heard many of the politicians making promises to other professional bodies and I always ask what about us? Is it because we do not demonstrate or embark on strikes or what? In some jurisdictions, it is grace and honour to serve your country in the police but here in Ghana you sometimes wonder whether it is a curse to swear an oath to serve your country as a police officer?

Here we are after 4 good years of passing the C.I 76 after it went through the legislative mill of our august parliament and received presidential ascent, all that the ordinary police officer hears is we are working on the full implementation of the C.I 76 just as it has always been in all cases that concern the welfare of the police officer. They keep working on it till there is a change of government then they go home and another group comes and start to say we are working on it till they also go home. Then it becomes the story that ends "and so are the days of our lives in the police with a tattered penury". Single document is taking the powers that be more than four years to implement it? It's sad. Meanwhile, within these four years many police officers have been dismissed based on the punitive prescriptions of the C.I 76. Is it fair? It is a very sad situation for an ordinary police officer like me who has chosen to serve my country as a police officer.

We recently had a situation where members of Ghana Medical Association embarked on industrial action using the police C.I 76 as the basis. We quickly heard from the political divides, people offering the best solutions to curb the problem of the doctors. We heard the number of times crunch meetings were held to resolve the industrial actions the Doctors embarked on. They defied the fact that they are part of essential services and embarked on industrial action and they were given prompt attention but what happens to the police officer always remains rhetorical question as far his welfare is concerned. No one answers it. We will be here and see the wishes of the doctors fulfilled whilst that of the police officer will be a mirage simply because he or she is not in position to demonstrate or embark on strikes. What a country called Ghana?

During the special voting, many of my colleagues will line up to go and vote. How I wish my colleagues will vote for the full implementation of the C.I 76 other than party and tribal lines. Full implementation of the C.I 76 is the life and blood of the ordinary police officer. The C.I 76 is an insurance cover for the police officer and his or her family. The C.I 76 rewards hardworking police officers that is why my vote is meant for it.

Come December 2016 and beyond, whether I am in the police service or dismissed for being vociferous on the full implementation of the C.I 76, I want to see a police service where police officers across the length and breadth of the country are picked by police vehicles to their duty points beyond one kilometer as stipulates by the C.I 76. The working hours of the police officer is reduced to 8 hours and if there is the need for a police officer to work beyond 8 hours, he or her should be paid adequate monetary compensation just as the C.I 76 claims.

I want to see a police service where the police officer on leave receives leave allowance just as it written black and white in the C.I 76. I want to see a better police service where wives, husbands and children of deceased police officers who died in active service are being taken care of as the C.I 76 says. I want to see children of deceased or incapacitated police officer being awarded scholarships just as the C.I 76 claims. I want to see police service where police officers who became incapacitated as a result of duty calls are flew abroad for special treatments and care just as it is in the C.I 76.

I want to see a police service where promotions of police officers who are in good standing do not last beyond four years since the C.I 76 says so. I want to see a police service where there is reflective strategic solutions to the killings and violent deaths of police officers which come as a result of their work. I want to see a police service where there is a regular supply of uniforms, boots, beret and caps and needed accoutrements to enhance efficient policing. I want see a police service where police officers are given everything prescribed by the C.I 76 and of course I want to also see a police service where discipline is the hallmark. That is what is likely to attract my vote as a police officer serving mother Ghana at the peril of my life with sweat and blood.

I am just one police officer but my vote really matters. Who knows other police officers will also decide to vote for the full implementation of the C.I 76 after reading this piece of mine since it is for overall benefits for all police officers?

After voting for the full implementation of the C.I 76, vote for peace too. A better police service for the police officer and the ordinary Ghanaian is the utopia I am dreaming for. My vote is still open as I am waiting patiently for the one who can convince me before I caste it.

Oh it's just a soliloquy and personal conversation. Just talking aloud to myself but in case you are eavesdropping, then so be it.

For God and country.
Ahanta Apemenyimheneba Kwofie III
(Daniel Kwofie)/Peki-vr
[email protected]
#Ahantadiaries2016_07_27