Thirteen police officers died in line of duty in Ghana last year. The affected officers died in several circumstances, in­cluding during exchange of fire with armed robbers, motor accidents and stabbing.

Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, DSP Cephas Arthur told The Finder in Accra the ranks of the officers range from Con­stable to Chief Inspector.

He said six officers died in motor accidents: two died on their way to ef­fect arrest; one died during escort du­ties; another died during traffic control duties; and two others in unspecified motor accidents.

According fo him, one officer died at his duty post; two were stabbed to death; two killed by police fire during an encounter with armed robbers; and one was run over by an articulated truck during barrier duties.

He said Chief Inspector Yakiibu Awusi was stabbed to death at his duty post on December 30, 2013.

DSP Arthur told The Finder that those killed through motor accidents on their way to effect arrest were Gen­eral Sergeant Louis Fenyi op Novem­ber 2,2013 and Lance Corporal David Bonsu, also on November 2, 2013.

He noted that Sergeant Anthony Nyarko was killed in a motor accident during traffic duties on August 27, 2013 while Corporal Ackah Patrick died at his duty post on September 9, 2013.

He explained that Corporal Ebenezer Obeng died in a motor acci­dent during escort duties on July 8, 2013; Corporal Jutta Dormenu was stabbed to death by a suspected armed robber on September 30,2013; Corpo­ral Korankye George was killed dur­ing an encounter with armed robbers on May 16,2013; and Coiporal Ernest Acheampong died in motor accident at Alavanyo on July 14, 2013.

DSP Arthur said Corporal Francis Appiah and Emmanuel Tetteh were killed by police fire during an en­counter with armed robbers on Sep­tember 3, 2013.

He stated that on October 19, 2013 Constable Kofi Sakyi was killed in a motor accident while General Consta­ble Elias Adjei Parry was run over by an articulated truck during barrier du­ties on August 1, 2013.

DSP Arthur said that all the 13 of­ficers were honoured posthumously during the recent WASSA of the serv­ice.

He explained that family members of seven officers were present to re­ceive the awards.

According to him, when an officer dies in line of duty, government pays workman compensation and pension to the family.

In addition, he said the service buys coffin, bears the cost of funeral and also makes donation at the funeral.

DSP Arthur added that some offi­cers get promoted posthumously de­pending on the circumstances that led to their death.