The Establishment of a Cold Case and Missing Persons Centre in Ghana: It is Possible

In recent years, many Ghanaians have become increasingly concerned about the ongoing problem of unsolved crimes and missing persons. A number of cases have remained unresolved for decades, and victims' families, law enforcement, and the general public have all expressed concern about the lack of closure. The creation of a Cold Case and Missing Persons Centre in Ghana, as advocated in the “It is Possible manifesto," would be a ground-breaking step in tackling this issue and providing hope for justice and closure.

Like many other countries, Ghana struggles with unresolved crimes and missing people. Despite the Ghana Police Service's outstanding efforts, some cases remain unresolved due to a variety of issues, such as inadequate funding, outdated forensic equipment, and the absence of a dedicated contemporary section for investigating these crimes. By offering a specialised team of detectives, forensic experts, and legal professionals committed to solving old cases, a Cold Case and Missing Persons Centre could address these issues. Ghana has witnessed several high-profile cases that remain unresolved in recent years. Several noteworthy unresolved cases in Ghana have garnered significant public interest. Among these are:

• The murder of Ahmed Hussein-Suale (2019) Details: Unidentified assailants shot and killed Ahmed Hussein-Suale, a journalist affiliated with Tiger Eye PI, in Accra. A politician made threats in public that led to his murder; the issue is still open.
• Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu's Murder (2016): A parliamentarian, Joseph Boakye Danquah-Adu, suffered a fatal stabbing at his Accra residence. Despite the arrests, there are still many unanswered questions regarding the motivations and identity of the mastermind.
• The Murder of George Awoonor-Williams (2014): Authorities found a British-Ghanaian man named George Awoonor-Williams dead in his hotel room in Ho, Volta Region; the case is still open.
• The Ennin Murder Case (2003): In 2003, Peter Kenyenso Ennin, a former Member of Parliament, fell victim to a gunshot wound. Despite investigations, the case remains unsolved.
• Nana Kwadwo Adjei Boateng's Murder (2015) A gunshot killed Nana Kwadwo Adjei Boateng, a former DCE for Sekyere East District, at his residence. The case is still open.
• Fennec Okyere's Murder (2014) At his house, Accra-based music producer Fennec Okyere met his demise. Despite a few arrests, the case is still unresolved.

There are a lot of unresolved missing person cases in Ghana, particularly involving women and children. Many of these cases are still open, and some have not gotten much attention from the media. These cases only make up a small portion of Ghana's unsolved criminal cases. Lack of resources, advances in forensic technology, and legal issues within the criminal court system frequently cause difficulties in investigating these crimes. Numerous other incidents have underscored the need for a more focused response to cold cases and missing persons. In addition to aiding in the resolution of these cases, the creation of such a centre would help rebuild public trust in the legal system.

The notion of creating a centre for cold cases and missing persons is not a novel one. Numerous nations have successfully established such units, leading to the resolution of issues long thought to be intractable. In the United States, the Denver Police Department's Cold Case Unit is among the best-known examples. Since its founding in 2004, the unit has used cutting-edge DNA technology together with other forensic methods to solve multiple cases. The squad gained notoriety in 2020 after cracking the case of Sylvia Quayle's murder in 1981, which had lain unsolved for almost forty years. The application of genetic DNA analysis, a technique that has transformed the field of criminal investigations, provided a breakthrough.

In the United Kingdom, the country's cold case units have also yielded notable success. Early in the new millennium, the London Metropolitan Police Service formed its Homicide and Major Crime Command, which has a dedicated Cold Case Team. This squad investigates unsolved homicides and has solved a number of cases from the 1970s and 1980s. Advances in DNA profiling made David Fuller's 2019 conviction for the 1987 murders of two women a noteworthy accomplishment.

Closer to home, South Africa offers an illustration of how a Cold Case Unit may operate in a developing nation. In 2018, the South African Police Service (SAPS) founded the Cold Case Unit to address the backlog of unsolved rapes and murders. The team has effectively addressed multiple high-profile cases despite having low resources, proving that such an endeavour can function in a setting comparable to Ghana's. It is definitely feasible to establish a Cold Case and Missing Persons Centre in Ghana, but it will entail coordinated efforts from a number of stakeholders, including the government, law enforcement, courts, and civil society.

The Ghanaian government must prioritise the establishment of this centre and provide the necessary funds and resources. This can entail providing the Ghana Police Service with fiscal support, making investments in forensic technology, and providing detectives with specialised training. Partnerships between the public and private sectors, such as IT firms and non-governmental organisations, may offer more assistance. For instance, partnerships with tech companies can facilitate the adoption of advanced forensic technologies such as digital forensics and DNA analysis. Training is crucial to equip law enforcement officers with the newest investigative methods. This could entail sending Ghanaian police personnel to train in countries with effective cold case units or bringing in foreign specialists to conduct seminars and workshops in Ghana.

A strong legal foundation is essential to a Cold Case Centre's efficient operation. Passing legislation is necessary to uphold the application of cutting-edge forensic methods, defend the legal rights of suspects and victims, and ensure the smooth reopening of closed cases. Fostering collaboration and establishing trust require active public participation. Public awareness campaigns can inform the public about the value of solving cold cases, as well as ways in which they can support initiatives or contribute information to these efforts.

In conclusion, it is not only possible but also imperative that Ghana create a Cold Case and Missing Persons Centre. Ghana can establish a specialised unit to address the long-standing problem of unsolved crimes and missing persons, giving justice to victims and their families by drawing inspiration from international models. This effort has the potential to significantly improve Ghana's criminal justice system and give hope to individuals who have been waiting far too long for answers, given the proper funding, training, and legal framework. It is time to take action. It is possible!

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