The Paramount Chief of Tong in the Karaga district of the northern region, Naa Andani Yakubu, has blamed the conduct of junior ranking police officers for the disturbances in recent years between the youth of Tamale and the Northern Region Police Command.
In view of this, the traditional ruler has therefore urged the police administration to always conduct due diligence in the selection and recruitment processes of young officers into the service.
“The violence that erupted between the youth and the police was as a result of the conduct of the junior officers. We will not wait for the youth to foment mayhem but the same youth will not sit back for anyone to demean us. But, this is blamed on the kind of people you recruit into the service; check them well!”
“As Senior Officers, you wouldn’t have been where you have risen to in your career if you were behaving the way they [junior officers] are doing today, therefore, caution your men to conduct your men to behave professional to avoid this kind of happenings” the Chief stated.
Naa Andani Yakubu made these remarks when the Northern Regional Minister, Shani Alhassan Shaibu, and Mayor of Tamale led a Police Delegation from Accra led COP Christian Tetteh Yahonu and COP Timothy Yoosa Bonga, the Northern Regional Police Commander on Wednesday (16th February, 2022) to Lamashe Naa Palace.
Background
The violence started when a police patrol team pursued a driver of an unregistered salon car to the Lamashegu Chief palace where they reportedly shot and wounded the driver.
The incident angered many of the community members who consequently mobilize and clashed with the Tamale police.
An 18-year old Junior High School graduate identified as Abdul Hakim Yakubu died in the event when he was hit by a stray bullet whilst trying to escape the scuffle. A pathologist was sent to examine the body before he was burial on Tuesday in line with Islamic tradition.
Another person was disfigured by a gunshot and several others sustaining various degrees of injuries but are currently receiving medical care.
Police interdiction
Six officers of the Ghana Police Service have been interdicted for their involvement in the Lamashegu shooting incident. The Director-General of Public Affairs, DCOP Kwesi Ofori, announced the action against the officers in a statement last Monday.
The affected officers are: General Corporal Samson Kweku Darfour, General Corporal Prosper Mormesimu, General Constable Harrison Twum Danson (Driver), General Constable Mathew Sah, General Constable Nuhu Muntari as well as Constable Doris Serwa Bonsu.
Investigation
The police administration further dispatched a team of investigators from the Personnel from the Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB). The statement appealed to the residents to remain calm as the investigations continue into the unfortunate incident.
In a related development, Naa Andani Yakubu, has asked the police hierarchy to dismiss one officer with a Facebook name; Monney K Koranteng, for making disparaging comments about the Lamashe Naa’s palace. In addition, he insisted the officer who allegedly shot the driver of the unregistered must also be transferred out of the area.
“We don’t need such officers in our land, they have Chiefs where they come from, and therefore, they cannot disrespect us here” he angrily pointed out.
