Minister for Justice, Gloria Akuffo
The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Gloria Akuffo, has revealed that there is the need for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police service and her office to develop strategies for greater collaboration and co-operation for effective prosecution.
She said bad investigations had been detrimental in their work as prosecutors in court. She, therefore, urged the CID to improve on its strategies and develop interpersonal relationship with the public for information which aids in investigations.
“The CID needs not approach my office only at a point when it considers a docket ready for submission for the Attorney-General for advice. It should therefore, be possible for investigators, throughout the process of investigations, to have regular consultations with my office,”
Ms Akuffo said at the 2017 annual WAssA celebration of the CID at the Police fitness and social Centre in Accra last friday. Known in security parlance as West Africa security services Association, it is celebrated annually by the security services to make merry and to take stock of their previous achievements.
The Attorney General disclosed that her outfit had formed a team which would include the Director General of the CID, to evaluate dockets on some cases, which are now pending in court. Ms Akuffo urged personnel to continue to fight relentlessly to prevent and expose crime, reduce criminality, protect the vulnerable in society, particularly, the aged, women and children.
The Director General of CID, DCoP Maame yaa Tiwa Addo Danquah, acknowledged the fact that investigators all over the country work tirelessly with their counterparts and other security services to manage security challenges the country faces.
“Officers and men of the CID were able to gather intelligence leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of some criminal elements in our society, including armed robbers,” she said.
“Police collaborations with the Marine Police, International Justice Mission and Department of social Welfare and other stakeholders have rescued 339 victims, including 217 males and 122 females, out of which 149 are adults and 190 children. out of the number, 327 of the victims are Ghanaians while 12 are foreigners,” she explained.
DCoP Maame Tiwa Addo Danquah disclosed that the Anti-Armed robbery Unit also retrieved 29 vehicles, which were snatched from their owners within Accra and Tema, and sent to Tamale in the northern region for sale. She said some of the suspects involved had been arrested and were in court facing trial; but some victims were yet to recover their vehicles from the police.
The second lady, samira Bawumia, who was the special guest at the event, urged personnel to continue to demonstrate professionalism, even under the most challenging circumstances in the discharge of their duties.
She also urged them to fight crime against women and children.
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey
(lindatenyah@gmail.com)