The Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has appealed to feuding factions in the Kandiga and Doba Communities of the Upper East Region to stop the fighting the conflict because it is hurting the public.
He urged the chief and people of the two communities who have been at each other’s throat over land ownership which has claimed many lives to resort to the laid down rules of the country in the resolution of their disagreement.
At Kandiga, he appealed to the chief, his elders and the people not to resort to war as a Means to resolving the conflicts because wherever conflict has been employed as a means to resolve issues, the result has always been negative.
“No person or group of people have ever won any war. Countries with rich resources, rich security powers; talk of Somalia, Afghanistan, Libya and so many places, they don’t win war. So there is no victory in any war. So I’ve come to plead with you that taking arms and fighting will not bring hope and development to anybody”
At the Doba chief palace,the IGP and his entourage made similar appeals to the chief,elders and the community members . He urged them to give peace a chance for the development of the communities and the future of the children.
Dr. Dampare said “there is no matter which is so difficult that words, engaging each other cannot solve”
Dr. Dampare assured the two communities that the police officers will be professional, fair but firm in the discharge of their duties to ensure the safety and security of the public. He however warned that the police will deal with individuals who want to forment trouble to disturb the peace of the area.
” I came to assure you that we will continue to protect lives and property. We will show no favoritism to any group but the law will be applied fairly and equally. We will use every force that is allowed by law to maintain order in these communities”
He said there are many peace loving people who want to leave in peace but there are equally few bad nuts who want to foment trouble but the police will not allow that.
” Because there are many good people and few bad pople, we will not let it be like groundnut soup where few bad groundnut goes to contaminate the good soup. I urge you all to be good groundnut so that we eliminate the bad groundnut so that we can have a good groundnut soup”
“You haven a very bright future and we cannot allow only few bad people to destroy that future for you for your destiny to be corrupted in a manner that takes away the good service you provide. You are hurting me, stop it.”
The two chiefs assured the IGP of their support at ensuring that there is peaceful coexistence among the communities.
The IGP and his team together with the Upper East Military commander also interacted with the security men and women who have been deployed to maintain peace and security in the two comunities. The team were assured of the highest support from the police service and urged them to carry out the duties with high professionalism.
At Bawku
The IGP and his entourage including the Upper East Regional commander, Mr Gariba then left for Bawku where they met both chiefs and people of the feuding factions in the protracted chiftancy conflict and appealed to them to observe the curfew and allow peaceful coexistence among each other.
The police delegation held close door meetings with both chiefs before briefly interacting with the youth of the two gates who had gathered at the palaces in their numbers.
Police Parade at the Bawku Divisional Quarters.
A brief parade was held at the Bawku Divisional Police Command in honour of the IGP where he interacted with the officers
The officers appealed to the IGP to assist them with conducive jackets and patrol vehicles for their patrol activities and night duties. The officers said they have only a buss which they use for patrols which is not making their work easy. Some explained that they do not have jackets that are appropriate for the weather. They therefore want the police chief to supply them with jackets that are appropriate for both the cold and heat conditions.
IGP Dr. Dampare urged the officers in black uniform to exhibit high professionalism in the discharge of their duties. He urged them to be discipline in their conduct.
The IG was not happy with reports of extortion from the public against the police men. Dr. Dampare wondered why officers take between 100.00 and 200.00 from poor motor riders?
IGP Dr. Dampare advised his men to desist from acts that bring the name of the service to disrepute, rather, they should work for the interest of the public because they have the responsibility to serve. He said the police administration will stand with any officers in every situation and in time of need.
By: Simon Agana Blessing/mywordfmonline.com