Opinions of Monday, 18 December 2017

Columnist: Prof Lungu

Bernard Mornah's arrest statement by Ghana Police Service is unprofessional

Bernard Mornah Bernard Mornah

"...Surely, this is an important matter... Must we conclude it is a sign of laziness that caused the issuance of the statement without a single date?... On what date and how did the Ghana Police Service "initially" indicate "their preparedness to provide the required security"?... On what date and how...", (Prof Lungu, 17 Dec 17).

We greatly appreciate all the work the good people in the Ghana Police Service do every day, serving the public, protecting the peace.

In the matter of the arrest of Mr. Bernard Mornah of the People's National Convention (PNC) party at Kawukudi Park, Nima, Accra, Saturday, 16 Dec 17; and Ghana Police Service statement published on Ghanaweb 17 Dec 17 (and other media about the matter):

We read with astonishment and sadness the statement issued by the Ghana Police Service and signed by "SGD DAVID EKLU ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF POLICE". Surely, this is an important matter.

Surely, this matter is not just of Ghanaian national interest, but of interest to Africans all over the continent, and afar.

Sadly, and quite unprofessionally, the entire statement on this important matter does not cite a single date any event occurred. Must we conclude it is a sign of laziness that caused the issuance of the statement without a single date?

Or, must we conclude it is a sign that the police is hiding information that is not in the interest of the Ghana Police Service, information the People of Ghana require the make a fair and balanced assessment of the events in contention?

Tell us about "earlier on", Ghana Police Service.

What actual date does "the leader of the group Mr. Bernard Mornah had earlier on served notice to the police of their intention to embark on a demonstration...", connote?

On what date and how did the Ghana Police Service "initially" indicate "their preparedness to provide the required security"?

On what date and how was "the leader of the group Mr. Bernard Mornah...advised to suspend the demonstration"?

Substantively, is it a fair, accurate, and complete statement that the Bernard Mornah notice was about his group's "...intention to embark on a demonstration in support of some Togolese nationals in Ghana who have been agitating for what they termed a change in government in Togo...".

Where are copies of the written records, Ghana Police?

So it goes, Ghana!