Welcome Note To Cop John Kudalor; Mr. Acting Igp

Dear Sir,
I must say, that I am overwhelmed by the decision of the President to appoint you to act in the absence of your Boss, Mohammed Alhasan. You know, news of your appointment pushed me to research a little about your background as far as the police administration is concerned so as to understand you better and understand why Mr. President chose no one else that you to act.

Well, my search revealed to me that, you have about 2 decades of experience in the service. You were also in charge of monitoring the 2012 elections, not after which you became the Director General of Operations. I also found out that you acted as IGP in February, 2013 when the then Inspector General of Police, Paul Tawiah Quaye was asked to commence his compulsory 90-days terminal leave.

With these track records, I want to state that you come across as a fine gentleman, one who has been well prepared and fit for the position, and I pray that you are confirmed as substantive IGP. But while we are praying and fasting for the heavens to touch the hearts and minds of the president and his advisers to confirm you as the substantive IGP, there are very important issues that need your attention. These problems I believe when attended to will rebuild public confidence in the police service. I know that you cannot deny knowledge of these issues I am about to put before you, but it is only proper that I remind you of them just in case you might have forgotten. The issues include the following but are not limited to:

Massive Corruption in the Service
Corruption in the police service is something every Ghanaian is aware of. In fact, I have heard the story of the 4-year old boy who asked his mother to buy him a car so he could drive himself to school but and in addition, the four year old boy asked his mother to add money to pay the police. The story of this 4 year old boy should tell you the level of corruption in the service you have been appointed to head.

Mr. IGP, Trotro and Taxi drivers are regularly victimized by police officers when they refuse to pay bribes to them. Just recently, the Ghanaian media reported on how rape reports were being sold at the Police hospital in Accra. Mr Kudalor, I must tell you that I do not want to see a corruption free police service, but all Ghanaians will be happy to seek justice without being asked to pay anything to a policeman. In other terms, all I am asking for is that you should make the act of corruption unattractive for the men and women in black. I hope for a strong man like you, my request is not too much for you.

Abuse of Sirens
Mr. Acting IGP, your men have at various times abused the official cars and the purpose of the sirens attached to the vehicles. The abuse of these sirens I must say is annoying and irritating Ghanaian motorists. Because police officers are privileged to have such official vehicles which they sometimes drive to their homes, they deliberately set off very late from their houses and expect that with their sirens, the Ghanaian motorist who is also on his way to work, perhaps also late and stuck in traffic would give way to them to have an easy pass through the traffic. Sometimes, these siren blowing police cars are occupied by school children. Sir, I must say if this phenomenon continues, the Ghanaian motorists will gradually disregard the sound from sirens and this might have some negative effects on lives and property of the people of this country.

Enforcing the laws on Motor Bikes
COP John Kudalor, final on the list of issues that I need you to tackle as a matter of urgency is the lawlessness of motor bike riders in this country. Their abuse of the laws and regulations on the use of the bikes are just unacceptable. These users have no regard for traffic lights, no helmets, no registration numbers, no licenses, and even sometimes, you see over three people on one motor bike, riding through vehicles in the presence your men and women, yet they care less. Meanwhile, they are very ready to demand 300 cedi from a user of a DV number plate who has forgotten or left his log book at home. Sanity must prevail on our roads, and Ghanaians must trust their security agencies, but that would only take your men and women doing the right thing for which they were employed.

As I end my welcome note, I must say there are a whole lot of issues, but I need you to begin with these ones while I update you on the others in my subsequent letters to your high office.

Thank you for tolerating me and congratulations once again.

A Happy Citizen,
Stephen.