Police Service in war path

There is growing apprehension and anxiety among personnel of the Ghana Police Service over the seeming favouritism as there are plans to contract some officers after reaching their retirement age.

The Enquirer reports that those likely to be contracted are officers with links with high-ranking politicians and those used for hatchet jobs.

The situation is likely to incur the wrath of officers who are already on retirement because an embargo had been placed on such contracts since 2001.

The Enquirer said documents available to it state that the Public Service Commission under the chairmanship of E.A Sai, in July 2001, served notice to all public services institution not to contract retired personnel.

According to the notice, the practice had been identified as one of the greatest impediments to effective planning within the public service. At the same time, it constituted a serious blockage to smooth career progression for younger blood within the service, thereby creating a disincentive to committed performance.

Within the Police Service, The Enquirer gathered that not even the services of medical doctors who are in dire need, have been contracted after their retiring age although the notice gave exception to medical doctors, paramedical personnel and university lecturers.

A source within the retired officers has hinted that they are preparing to storm the law court should anybody be given any contract after his or her active service.

The Enquirer stated that officers who are to retire this year include Dr. K.K. Marfo, Deputy Inspector General of Police whose mandatory date for retirement will be July 23, 2007.

Mr Francis K Agyemang, Commissioner in charge of Special Duties and Police Education Unit who will hit the retiring age on December 21,2007, Mr. Reynolds Kwa Kye, Tema Regional Commander who is supposed to retire on December 17, 2007 and Mr. Vincent K. Dzakpata, currently on peacekeeping mission and will hit the mandatory age on August 22,2007.

The rest are Mr. Douglas Akrofi Asiedu, Greater Accra Regional Commander who hit the mandatory retiring age on April 24, this year, Mr. Patrick Kwabena Ampewuah, currently on terminal leave, and will hit the retiring age on May 13, 2007.

Mr. Mohammed Nicholas Abukari Adams, second-in-command of the Brong Ahafo Region whose retirement is due on November 21,2007 and Mr. Henry Dadzie, now on peacekeeping mission, and is also due to retire on August 23, 2007.

Others are, Mr. Daniel Laryea Odai, currently on peacekeeping mission, Mrs. Charlotte Asiedu also is due to retire on July 14, 2007 and Mr. Victor Tandoh, Commander of the Motor Traffic Unit in charge of Greater Accra.

A source within the police service said it would be highly unfair to contract some people while those whose services are needed most are relegated to the background.

Other officers within the Service who are likely to succeed those officers have also raised eyebrows, saying that the plan is going to block their movement to higher position.

The source said that officers are becoming increasingly sensitive to the situation and that respect and order are likely to break down within the service should anybody be awarded a contract after retirement.

According to the source, some officers are seriously lobbying at “higher” places to secure contracts, but others are also well prepared not to make them happen.

Source: The Enquirer