Congratulations, Police

The Ghanaian Times yesterday published a photograph of one Mattias Tsegah, said to be one of the robbers who attacked a woman on the GIMPA-Legon road and took away $67, 400. According to the story the Police have promised to reward anyone who would provide information leading to his arrest with GH¢6000. Earlier in the week, the Police had also published the names of suspects who were involved in the robbery at Ecobank, at Madina, somewhere last year.

Though the suspects are yet to be apprehended, The Chronicle wishes to congratulate the police for their intelligent investigations, which have now led to the discovery of the suspects. When the Ecobank robbery happened, most Ghanaians including The Chronicle criticised the police for failing to apprehend the suspects.

Just last week, we again used this column to criticize the Police when the GIMPA-Legon robbery occurred. We drew the attention of the President to the vow he made to ensure that Ghanaians move around freely without any fear of being attacked by armed robbers. The Chronicle, therefore, views the latest inroad being made by the Police after the criticisms, as a significant step towards the fight against the armed robbery menace in the country.

We have been hearing of armed robbery incidents in this country for sometime now, but never has any armed-robbery incident shocked Ghanaians like the reported attack in broad daylight of a helpless victim in traffic, and her money taken away from her. The GIMPA-Legon road incident sent shivers down the spine of many Ghanaians because of its obvious implications. Comments made by callers to the various radio stations indicated that they were afraid to move out even in the daytime, if such robberies should continue.

It is the hope of The Chronicle that the public would assist the Police by providing them with information about the where about of the suspects whose names have been published. This is the only way by which they can also assist the security agencies to fight crime. Should the public fail to do this, they would have no justification to criticise the security agencies for failing to fight crime in the country. The Chronicle also suggests to the Police to liaise with their counterparts in the neighbouring countries or Interpol to trace and arrest the suspects.

After the publication of their names, it is obvious that some of them would try to escape from the country, which is why we think the intervention of Interpol would help. Once again, we say kudos to the Police, they have really done a great job.