Outrage And Fear In Ghana: Government Corruption And Police Brutality Threaten Democracy

The recent police assault on peaceful protesters in Ghana is an appalling act of state-sponsored violence that must ignite public outrage. On June 18, 2024, unarmed citizens, bravely exercising their democratic right to protest, were viciously attacked with tear gas by police. Their crime? Opposing the government’s shameless and corrupt decision to hand over valuable state assets to a government minister at laughably low prices. This act of cronyism is nothing short of daylight robbery from the public coffers.

Leading this courageous protest was the Honourable Member of Parliament for North Tongu. Through his "For God and Country" series, he has been relentless in exposing various corrupt practices within the current regime. His investigative efforts have saved the country millions of cedis, preventing these funds from lining the pockets of government criminals and their cronies. His commitment to unveiling the rot in government has made him a beacon of integrity in these dark times, and his leadership in this protest is a testament to his dedication to justice and accountability.

The Scandal
Ghana is in uproar over the government's outrageous decision to sell state-owned hotels to a sitting minister at scandalously low prices. The government’s excuse? The hotels were supposedly unprofitable. But damning evidence shows that at least one hotel has been raking in millions in profits for the past three years. This isn’t just poor judgment; it’s a calculated and corrupt betrayal of the public trust. Even more shockingly, this sale blatantly violates parliamentary rules that bar members from engaging in profiteering while in office.

The sale of these hotels began shortly after the son of the senior minister was appointed the Director General of SSNIT, the state agency that manages pensioners’ funds and owns these hotels. If the same management structure and style that led to the success of the profitable hotel were applied to the other three, their fortunes could similarly be turned around. The government's interest should be in revitalizing these assets, not selling them off cheaply to cronies.

Brutal Police Response
In a brazen show of brutality, police officers unleashed tear gas on peaceful demonstrators, endangering lives and blatantly trampling on the rights of citizens. Instead of upholding the law and protecting the public, the police acted as the government’s attack dogs, violently suppressing dissent. This disgusting display of power is a chilling reminder of the lengths to which this government will go to silence opposition and cling to power. The brutality of the police is even more alarming considering the tragic events of the 2020 elections, where eight innocent Ghanaians were brutally shot and killed at an election coalition centre. To date, no one has been held accountable for these heinous acts.

Root Causes
This horrifying incident lays bare the disturbing lack of independence in Ghana’s police force. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), appointed by the President, is nothing more than a puppet of the executive branch, leading to rampant political interference. This corrupt relationship has turned the police into enforcers of political will, rather than defenders of justice and public safety.

Condemnation of Government and Police Actions

We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the government’s corrupt actions and the police’s despicable violence. The sale of profitable state assets to government cronies is not just unethical; it’s outright theft from the people of Ghana. This gross misuse of public resources and flagrant violation of parliamentary rules is a scandal of the highest order.

Dangers Ahead: The December Elections
As Ghana braces for the December elections, the stakes couldn’t be higher. If the police continue to act as brutal enforcers for the corrupt government, voters and opposition parties face a terrifying future of intimidation and violence. This ruthless behaviour threatens to destroy the very fabric of our democracy, turning what should be a free and fair election into a farce dominated by fear and repression. The minister of state, trying to buy off SSNIT’s hotels at laughable prices, has on two occasions at party rallies declared that his party, the incumbent government, will not hand over power to any other party, a blatant threat to democratic transition that has gone unpunished.

Moreover, the Electoral Commission, supposed to be a fair referee, has displayed blatant bias towards the government. All commissioners, some of whom were known to be card-carrying members of the ruling party, were appointed by the current president. Disturbingly, five Voter Biometric Verification Devices to be used on the day of voting have gone missing from the EC’s headquarters under CCTV surveillance and have not been found, further eroding public trust.

Call to Action
In the face of this looming danger, it is imperative that all sectors of society rise up to condemn these actions and demand accountability. We call on:

- Political Actors: Unite across party lines to condemn the government’s actions and demand immediate reforms.

- The Clergy and Traditional Rulers: Use your moral authority to speak out against these injustices and call for peace and respect for human rights.

- Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Mobilize, raise awareness, and hold the government accountable through advocacy and public campaigns.

- Regional and International Organizations: The African Union, ECOWAS, United Nations, and other international bodies must issue strong condemnations and pressure the Ghanaian government to uphold democratic principles.

- Development Partners: Use your influence to demand transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights as conditions for continued support.

-The Media: Play a crucial role in exposing corruption and police brutality, fostering public awareness, and holding those in power accountable.

Recommendations for Preventing Future Abuses

A future government must consider these recommendations to prevent future abuses of power:

1. Police Independence and Accountability:

- Overhaul the appointment process of the IGP to ensure true independence from political influence. Establish a non-partisan committee for selecting and overseeing the IGP.

- Strengthen internal and external oversight mechanisms, including an independent civilian review board to investigate police misconduct.

2. Training and Capacity Building:
- Implement rigorous training for police officers on human rights, crowd control, and de-escalation techniques to ensure peaceful demonstrations are handled appropriately.

- Foster community policing initiatives to rebuild trust between the police and the public.

3. Legal and Policy Reforms:
- Enact and enforce strict legal standards governing police use of force, including clear guidelines on the use of tear gas and other crowd control measures.

- Ensure that laws protecting the rights to peaceful assembly and free expression are robust and rigorously upheld.

4. Public Awareness and Engagement:
- Launch widespread civic education programs to increase public awareness of citizens’ rights and the expected conduct of law enforcement.

- Encourage active citizen participation in monitoring and reporting instances of police misconduct.

A Beacon of Hope
Despite the grim outlook, there is still a beacon of hope. Former President His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the flag bearer of the main opposition party, has pledged to pursue justice for all who have caused harm to the country. He has promised that anyone found culpable will be punished accordingly should he win the election. This is not a political witch hunt; he has vowed that the same standards will apply to his appointees and government officials.

Conclusion
The vicious attack on peaceful protesters in Ghana is a terrifying assault on democracy and a glaring indicator of deep-rooted corruption within the government. The sale of state assets to government cronies, in blatant violation of parliamentary orders, must spark widespread outrage and demand immediate action. If the government applied the successful management practices from the profitable hotel to the other three, their fortunes could be turned around, benefiting the entire nation. With the December elections approaching, the potential for the police to target voters and opposition parties poses a grave threat to the democratic process. Ghana must act now to reclaim its democracy, protect citizens’ rights, and ensure public resources serve the people, not the corrupt few in power.

Call for Voter Vigilance
Ghanaians, as we approach the December elections, it is crucial to remember that voting has consequences. Consider carefully whom you vote for. Your vote can either perpetuate corruption or help build a future where justice and integrity prevail.

Nsiaba Nana Akwasi Kobi
Diasporan Activist
[email protected]