I’ll deal with growing impunity in Ghana – Nana Addo

• Posted on March 20, 2019
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

President Akufo-Addo says his government will do its best to address the growing phenomenon of impunity and lawlessness in the country.

He said the state will ensure strict application of the law in tackling the breakdown of law and order in the country.

Addressing the leadership of the Ghana Bar Association at a meeting at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, the president said he will need the support of the Bar and the general citizenry to address the problem.

Akufo-Addo’s comment comes in the wake of a viral video that shows a commercial bus driver and his conductor physically assaulting a uniformed police officer in Accra.

The incident is among the many in recent times that indicate public mistrust in the police and other law enforcement agencies following several incidents including police brutalization of citizens.

But president Akufo-Addo said he will not countenance the development and will act to stop it.

“We need to come to grips with [the situation]. I want to assure you the Ghanaian people that whatever steps that needs to be taken to deal with this phenomenon of impunity; I’m going to do my best to tackle it. I call for your support and the support of all right-thinking citizens in our society to contribute.”

Although the president did not give details about what actions he will take to address the problem, there has been some suggestions about dealing with the problem which many analysts say is as a result of the lack of trust between the police and the citizenry.

The Bureau of Public Safety recently called for the establishment of an independent police complaints body to receive and act upon issues regarding police misconduct from the public.

In a statement after series of public incidents that highlights a trend of mutual disrespect for rights and freedoms between citizens and the police, BPS said if the problem is not “addressed with urgency, public tranquillity and law and order will grind to a complete halt thereby threatening our democratic development.”

The call has been supported by many others who say reports about police misconduct to the police hierarchy often go with the offending officer left off the hook or merely counselled without any concrete punishment.