DCOP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah
We were excited about the prospects of hearing from the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department strides made in the recent crime occurrences in the country.
Unfortunately, when the media turned up at the CID headquarters with pens, papers and mini-recorders, their hopes were dashed: the engagement brought nothing new to what they already knew safe the arrested rapist gang.
But really what we wanted to hear was about the kidnapped girls and what headway if any had been made. What she let out did not sound convincing enough for a pat on her back. We have been sitting on tenterhooks for many months now, with parents of the kids undergoing painful insomnia, not knowing the fate of the girls. Just when Ghanaians think they are about to hear something heartwarming, they are faced with a blank board.
The case of the kidnapped girls and the murderers of Ahmed Hussein-Suale are what she should have addressed sufficiently and professionally; unfortunately, she presented us with an empty can.
We are constrained to state that the press conference was unnecessary and can best be regarded as one intended to catch the attention of the employer.
The Western Regional Police Commander told Ghanaians that the Nigerian suspect arrested over the kidnapping of the girls was not cooperating with the police – something we described as unacceptable at the time. We thought that was close to admitting failure on the part of the law enforcement agency and we still maintain that stance. And now the CID boss assembles the media as if there was something in her bag worthy of positive headlines soothing to the parents of the girls.
When next time she intends to address the media against the backdrop of very serious outstanding security issues let her prepare sufficiently and be ready to address queries without the kind of evasiveness she put up.
We have been supportive of the cause of the law enforcement system in the country because, after all, it is about national security and would call a spade a spade under the circumstances.
The issue of the kidnapped girls is a serious one because it expectedly touches the hearts of not only the parents of the girls but also those of others.
The murder of Ahmed Hussein-Suale is the other. The CID boss did not help agitated minds by her handling of the matter. We wonder whether she has been told about the condemnation of the engagement on the airwaves soon after the event came to a close.
When it comes to matters of security, we would be blunt as we do other matters because it is about the national interest. We went to the CID headquarters and were treated to a session of security theatricals.