From left: Alhaji Boniface Saddique, Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Simon Osei Mensah and COP/Dr. George Akuffo Dampare paying their last respects as the l ast post is sounded during the funeral/burial service yesterday
Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has promised that the police will go after those who kill law enforcement officers.
He gave the promise yesterday during the Islamic funeral and burial service of one of the two police officers who were gruesomely murdered last Wednesday at Budumburam, near Kasoa.
“We are going to go after the attackers. In this particular case, three persons were arrested a few hours after the incident and one of the suspects is on the run. Those who have been arrested will face the full rigours of the law, and those still on the run will be relentlessly pursued,” he stressed.
Continuing, the Vice-President said, “They can run but they cannot hide. Insha Allah, we shall get all of them.”
Family Donation
The solemn religious service at Abuakwa, near Kumasi, saw Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is also the Chairman of the Police Council, donating an amount of GH¢5,000 to the father of the deceased and same amount to his spouse.
He said government was very much disturbed by what happened on Wednesday, August 28, leading to the loss of two police officers, namely Sgt. Michael Gyamasi and L/Cpl. Awal Mohammed in the line of duty.
“This development of violence, maiming and killing of security officers going about their lawful duties to protect lives and property in the country is acutely distressing,” he said.
Love Security Agents
The Vice-President called on Ghanaians to regard police officers and other security agents as “our family members, friends and protectors”, adding, “As a nation, we must all remember that peace and security are two cardinal necessities in life and those who have been elected to sacrifice to help us maintain peace and order ought to be respected and protected.”
Glowing Tribute
He paid glowing tributes to the two fallen cops, describing them as hardworking who discharged their duties creditably and in the interest of the nation.
“These gallant men will forever be remembered for their acts of sacrifice for the nation. Any life lost is a life too much,” he said.
New Measures
Recalling the number of police officers killed in the past five months, with all of them unarmed, he announced that “henceforth, all officers of the Police Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) will be armed to ensure their protection. Also, all police officers who go on ‘outside duties’ will now be armed with weapons, bulletproof vests and helmets to be able to protect themselves.”
The police officer and his colleague who were killed at Budumburam were officers of the Kasoa MTTD detachment.
Bulletproof Vests
Four thousand five hundred (4,500) bulletproof vests, he announced, had been delivered to the police to help stem these unfortunate incidents. “Police officers should wear these and not say that they are uncomfortable to wear,” he added.
Other logistical items, some of them non-lethal, had been delivered to the police to enhance their efficiency, he said, adding that more items would be delivered to the law enforcement agency.
“We must protect our police for them to be able to protect us,” he stressed.
More Police Officers
He said after delivering 567 vehicles to the police in 2017, government had given clearance for the recruitment of 4,000 police officers to boost ‘the numbers’.
Commanders’ Confab
Speaking about the ongoing Police Commanders’ Conference taking place at Sogakope in the Volta Region, he said, “It will come up with enhanced strategies to deal with relevant issues about the attack on police officers.”
“The issue at hand is a security matter and should not be politicized,” he stated.
Police Welfare
The Vice-President said government had cleared all the backlog of promotions that were outstanding for the police. “The issue of compensation has also been resolved with much enhanced packages for policemen injured or who die in the line of duty. I have asked the IGP to facilitate and expedite the process of delivering the compensation packages due the families of all the deceased officers,” he asserted.
Widow’s Request
Faridatu Yahya, wife of L/Cpl. Mohammed Awal, suggested after the burial of her husband that the killers must be made to face the death penalty when convicted.
“I suggest they should be punished according to how they killed my husband,” she said on radio, explaining, “The same way they killed him, they should be punished like that. They should be shot to death.”
Father’s Tears
Mohammed Osman, father of late L/Cpl. Mohammed said amid tears that “my only son is gone; Allah has shown his power.”
The distraught Mohammed Osman, a retired driver who lives in Kumasi, said, “It felt like a dream that I had,” referring to when news broke to him that his only son had been shot dead.
Public Support
For effective policing, he called for public support in that direction, pointing out that “whilst we are sleeping in our homes they continue to protect us.”
The Vice-President was accompanied by a high-powered government delegation, including the Minister of State at the Office of the Vice, Alhaji Boniface Abubakar Saddique; Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah; Minister for Special Initiatives; Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Bosiako (Wontumi); and Hajia Hawa Koomson.
The Police Administration was led by COP/Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare, Director-General, Welfare, Police Headquarters, upon whom the management of the funeral rested, was accompanied by COP/Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohunu, Director General MTTD, Police Headquarters; the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, COP/Mr. Paul Awuni; Central Regional Police Commander; ACP/Mrs. Habiba Twumasi, the Deputy Central Regional Police Commander; and many others, including friends and family members of the slain L/Cpl Awal Mohammed.
By A.R. Gomda