The Northern Regional Security Council, REGSEC, has met with Dagbon Chiefs, the Peace Council, Dagbon Forum and other key stakeholders in the northern region to strengthen ties between the traditional authorities and the police service of Ghana.
The forum comes in the wake of a clash between residents of Lamashegu and the police few weeks ago in the Tamale metropolis.
One person died after he was hit by a stray bullet whilst several others sustained gunshot injuries during the melee.
The violence erupted when a patrol team of police personnel chased a driver of an unlicensed Toyota Camry car to the Lamashegu Chief palace where one of the police officers allegedly shot and wounded the driver.
The incident provoked the inhabitants who consequently mobilize and clashed with the Tamale police command leading to the fatality and injuries.
On the back of this, Chairman of the Regional Security Council, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu, said the meeting was a platform for the stakeholders to deliberate and find solutions to the teething issues that undermine peace and security in the region.
The Minister noted the outcome of the deliberation will be binding on all stakeholders in the region.
Therefore, he said, “Let us all give the necessary contributions we think would give us the desired resolution we will be picking away from here; because you may not have the opportunity like you have here today to err our grievances that will help us find solutions to the problems that bedevils us as a people”.
This notwithstanding, Mr. Shani Alhassn Shaibu commended the Chief of Lamashegu, Naa Ziblim Abdulai, for how diligently he handled the matter especially his swift intervention to save the life of one of the police officers from mob attack.
COP Timothy Yoosa Bonga, the Northern Regional Police Commander, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, thanked all stakeholders for the support given to the police in their line of duty.
He stated the police administration is handicap without the public support and cooperation, asserting the police as a human institution would always aspire to render the best of services to the communities but lamented the conduct of some individuals brings the image of the service into disrepute.
However, he indicated the service will continue to improve upon their service to the people but require the maximum support of the general public.
Police misconduct
COP Yoosa Bonga added the police administration doesn’t support wrongdoing and any unprofessional conduct of individuals, pointing out that, “Though it may look like it’s taking sometime, but in the end, the sanctions will come and the administration will never cover any member”.
“The police administration does not, and will not, support any misconduct and will not shield or protect any member of the service who has misconducted himself or herself” he emphasized.
The police commanded further updated the gathering on the degree of actions taken against the officers involved in the Lamashegu shooting incident.
Prosecution
The leader of the patrol team, General Corporal Samson Kweku Darfour, was granted bail of GHS10,000 with two sureties in his second appearance in court on February 28, and the case adjourned to March 23, 2022. He has been charged with unlawful discharge of weapon and causing harm.
However, the accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against by the prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Nanton, Naa Mahamadu Baba Bawa, on behalf of the Chiefs called for a collaboration and team work between the traditional authorities and the police. He urged the police service to always adhere to the traditional protocols when they pursue suspects to any of the palaces in the area.
The Chiefs also implored the police service to periodically organize public education to sensitize the people to understand and appreciate the nature of their work, adding the ignorance of the public also result in people obstructing them in their line of duty.
