The Director of Policy Engagement and Partnership at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Dr. Kojo Pumpuni Asante, says the Ghana Police Service has no excuse to cower in the face of political violence.
Dr. Asante insists that no vigilante group can withstand a police force determined to uphold the law.
Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, July 14, following violent scenes during the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, he expressed deep concern about security and law enforcement ahead of the upcoming Akwatia by-election.
“For the police, first, the objective was to de-escalate, but at some point, they just decided that they were not going to interfere. That makes everybody insecure in this country,” he said, reacting to reports of police inaction at polling stations.
Dr. Asante noted that the conduct of some officers reflects long-standing issues that have been well documented.
“These things have been catalogued. We know the kinds of incentives that drive the police to behave in one way—trying to secure their jobs, trying to avoid transfers, trying to be victimised,” he stated.
He also highlighted the risks faced by officers who try to enforce the law.
“Sometimes you try to step in, and even when you are hurt, you might not even get the kind of treatment that you need as a human being. You might be maimed, and nobody will care about you. This is fundamental,” he said.
However, he was clear in his assertion that political thugs cannot override a determined police force.
“There is no way NPP or NDC, whether vigilantes or whatever, can stand against the full might of the state power or the state control of violence. Nobody. If the police want to do their work, no group of vigilantes can stand against that,” he insisted.
He questioned whether the issue was one of political interference rather than lack of police capacity.
“So if there’s some problem with the police being able to do their job, we should know. Is it interference? I didn’t say they can’t do their job—it may be that somebody is ordering them not to,” Dr. Asante said.
He called on the Police Council to act swiftly.
“That’s why we asked the Police Council, which has control and direction over the police, to make an inquiry. It’s not just about finding the perpetrators—I think that’s a very important first step to changing this course—but we need to get to the bottom of this,” he stressed.
Dr. Asante concluded with a warning that the threat of political violence goes beyond Akwatia.
“I’m glad that you are focusing on Akwatia, but it’s even beyond Akwatia,” he said.
Source: Abubakar Ibrahim
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