General News of Tuesday, 20 November 2007

Source: GNA

GJA rewards informant on Ennin killers

Accra Nov. 20, GNA- The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Tuesday presented a cheque of 10 million cedis (GH 1,000) to the Ghana Police Service in fulfilment of its pledge to reward any one who would give information leading to the arrest of those who murdered Mr Samuel Ennin, Ashanti Regional GJA Chairman.

Robbers killed Mr Ennin in January this year at Kumasi. So far, the police have arrested and arraigned two suspects. Mrs Yaa Oforiwaa Asare Peasah, GJA Treasurer presented the cheque to the Deputy Commissioner of Police Mr Frank Adu-Poku, Director General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Mr Ransford Tetteh, President of the GJA recalled that in February this year the association made a promise to the Police and the public to donate some monies to motivate the police to bring to book perpetrators of the crime.

Mr Tetteh said the Association was happy with the job the Police had done in bringing to book the perpetrators.

He stressed the need for the media and the police to partner with one another in the fight against crime.

Mr Adu-Poku said "I sincerely believe that those arrested are the people who committed the crime. We have gathered enough evidence and that should be tested in courts."

He said the police could not have made that break through in the case without the support of the public.

"Ninety per cent of the work done is by the public. I have always been saying that crime prevention is a shared responsibility. I cannot fight crime if I don't have the support of the public and that of the Police." Mr Adu-Poku said the police deliver services to the citizenry and "it is only those at the end who would be able to tell us whether or not we are doing well."

He denounced claims by some section of the public that the recent killing of some personnel meant that the public had lost confidence in the Police administration.

"We have the support of the public and the police should take criticisms in good fate," he added.

He commended the GJA for fulfilling its promise made to the Police, adding that the support offered to them should deepen the relationship between the media and the police.

Among present at ceremony were Mrs Monica Ennin, wife of the deceased and some executive members of the GJA, including Mr Bright Blewu, Secretary, Mr Dave Agbenu, Organising Secretary, Mr Kwesi Afriyie Badu, Chief Executive of KAB Governance Consult and Nana Yaw Osei, Ashanti Regional GJA Chairman.

Others are Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr. Ben Yeboah, Deputy Director General, CID and Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Kwesi Ofori.