R'td Army Chief Urges Public Not to Panic Over Recent Murders

The recent profile murders across the country are not indicative of a breakdown in security, a retired army chief, Captain Budu Koomson, has stated.

Capt. Budu Koomson said there was no need to sensationalise unrelated incidents of violent crime.

“If you put the whole security happenings into context, yes there is cause for concern but I wouldn't say that there should be this panic about insecurity,” he said on The Big Issue.

The murder of an investigative journalist with Tiger Eye PI this past week was the latest incident of violent crime that shocked the country.

In the days and weeks prior, the killings of Public Affairs Manager of the Tema Port and an Assemblies of God pastor in Tema made headline news.

Capt. Budu Koomson noted that “these are high profile murders and these high-profile murders are the cause a lot of consternation.”

The security analyst further noted that there had been unrelated tensions in Yendi, Alavanyo and Chereponi but “[the Police] are containing all of them.”

“You have to look at each one and why. It is not like it is a coordinated issue… I wouldn’t say that there is that concern that these high profile crimes, sensational as they are, is a pointer to general insecurity.”

Fears justified

In contrast, the Executive Secretary of the Bureau of Public Safety, Nana Yaw Akwada, said any public fears following the recent murders were justified.

“There is a general apprehension within the system. There is a general fear which we think is genuine,” he said, also speaking on The Big Issue.

IMANI Africa President, Franklin Cudjoe, was more alarmist saying gang wars could erupt in Ghana.

“..I do not know whether I can describe them as political intolerance but it looks to me that what happened in the case of Ahmed Suale and the things that have happened gives the impression that Ghana might be on the verge of a full blown gang war.”

---citinewsroom