Pay extra attention to resourcing the Police Service - GBA to President
Mr. Forson bemoaned the ill-equipped nature of the Ghana Police Service and called for extra attention to be given to them in that regard.
The Ghana Bar Association’s(GBA) national president, Mr.Anthony Forson has made a clarion call to the government to as a matter of importance, pay close attention to resource the Ghana Police Service.
According to Mr.Forson, this step by the government will boost the ability of the Ghana Police Service to enable it to maintain internal security in the country.
He made these statements yesterday, June 30, 2021, at the 39th Martyrs Day Remembrance Service where he delivered the “Lest we forget” speech at the Accra Ridge Church.
In attendance was the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; the Chief Justice, Justice Anin Yeboah; other Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court, and the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame.
Mr. Forson bemoaned the ill-equipped nature of the Ghana Police Service and called for extra attention to be given to them in that regard.
Taking inspiration from the constitution, he quoted in his speech, Act 200(1) and (3) which states;
“There shall be a Police Service in Ghana which shall be equipped and maintained to perform its traditional role of maintaining law and order,” and wondered if this provision has been fully met by the state.
Answering in the negative, he recounted a worrying state and situation of the Ghana Police Service which limit their work.
“Unfortunately the reality today is one of a veneer or appearance of such equipment and maintenance but stories of corruption of police officers especially those at the district offices and those on our roads leave a lot to be desired,” Mr.Forson said.
“The general ambiance in our Police Stations is worrying. There may be some very fine, knowledgeable, and respected senior officers in the service but for some reason, this refinement does not percolate down to those who interface with the citizenry daily,” He added.
Furthermore, Mr.Forson indicated that it is time for the state to have a relook at the qualification of the personnel who are recruited in the Nation’s Policing to ensure the provision of quality service from the outfit.
A second question directed at the president was posed by Mr.Forson. He quizzed;
“Mr. President, do your citizens feel safe?”
He noted that freedom from fear and freedom from want are the two main components of human security, quoting from the 1994 Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP).
“Mr. President, I know you are a firm believer in a situation where the Police Service in the regions would be so efficient as to be competing with each other annually on the reduction of the incidence of crime and an increase in the confidence of the people in the Police. It is my fervent hope that in these your legacy years you will do everything possible to make your vision a reality,” Mr.Forson concluded.
Martyrs day is commemorated every June 30th to remember events of June 30, 1982, in the Nation’s history when three High court justices were abducted by unidentified assailants and assassinated in cold blood at the Bundase Military range in the Accra Plains.
They were Justice Cecilia Koranteng-Addow, Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyapong, and Justice Fred Poku Sarkodie.
Justice Cecelia Koranteng Addow was born on 24th May 1936 in Assin, Central, Ghana. She had her secondary Education at Holy Child High School in Cape Coast. In 1959, she moved to the United Kingdom where she studied LLB at the University of Hull. She was called to the bar at the Lincoln’s Inn in London in 1963. She was a High Court Judge in Ghana from 1975 until her abduction and murder on June 30th, 1982.
Justice Kwadwo Agyei Agyapong was born at Oyoko in November 1926. Went to Mfantsipim School in 1942, had a bachelor of law degree at Kings College in 1958, and called to Inner Temple in 1960. He was elevated to the position of High Court judge in 1977 and got married to Comfort Agyapong and had 10 children. His last child was 3 months when he was abducted.
All three who are known as the ‘Martyrs of Rule of Law’ are remembered in an annual remembrance service by the Judicial Service on the anniversary of their deaths called Martyrs Day in Ghana.
The commemoration of their deaths on Martyrs Day is used as an appropriate occasion to examine the role of judges and lawyers in the defense of the rule of law.
