WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT UP TO?— security expert asks

As the IGP issues orders to remove all road barriers

According to a Police Wireless message intercepted by your authoritative “The Ghana Palaver”, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Patrick Acheampong, has ordered a ban on motor checks at all districts and stations and the removal of all police barriers throughout the country.
The orders are contained in a Police Wireless Message No. DTO:1030 of 17th September 2007 and originating from the Commissioner of Police, Services, directs that following the ban, accident squads are to be maintained with the sole purpose of handling accident cases.
Police motor checks have also been banned under the directive with the exception of anti-robbery and excessive load of charcoal by charcoal carrying vehicles.
The wireless message is specific especially that police barriers along the Accra-Takoradi and Cape Coast-Kumasi roads should be removed. It also warns that snap check points at Weija and Ofankor in Accra and Airport Road, New Tafo and Buokrom in Kumasi pose a nuisance to motorists due to the unnecessary delays they go through.
A security expert to whom “The Ghana Palaver” showed the wireless message to expressed deep concern and wondered what the purpose could be.
The expert recollected that in March 2002, just before Ya-Naa Yakubu Andani II and 40 of his elders were murdered in cold blood in broad daylight, a similar order was issued for the removal of all road blocks and the non-inspection of vehicles.
This must have paved the way for the movement of the arms and weapons to the Yendi area that were used in the assault on the Ya Naa's Palace.
The security expert was also surprised that exception was made for anti-charcoal vehicles but not for suspected anti-cocaine, anti-heroin and other anti-narcotic drug carrying vehicles.
“This is going to make it very easy for narcotic drugs to be moved around the country and worsen the already dented image of the country as far as drug trafficking is concerned. It is also going to heighten the suspicion that the Government and its agents are either involved in or have something to do with the drugs trade”, he opined.
The security expert was also worried about the timing of the directive, expressing concern that coming at a time when suspected contract killing is in vogue, it is only going to increase the fear of citizens and heighten tension in the country.
“I wonder what the NPP Government is really up to”, concluded the security expert.