Insecurity: CSOs on SDG Goal 16 call on IGP

Members of some Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Goal 16 sub-platform have called on the Inspector General Of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh to discuss the current state of insecurity in Ghana.

The visit by the 10-member delegation is aimed at discussing effective ways of improving the security situation in the country, among others.

A statement by the CSOs listed the recent spate of armed robberies in Accra and across the country, including broad daylight robberies resulting in the loss of lives and properties; the Ejura shooting incidents, which is currently under investigation, among others as the reason for their mission.

The meeting also discussed the #FixTheCountry brouhaha; the imminent threat of terrorist attacks as some of the worrying indicators that that they want the IGP to address.

Below is a statement from the convening team.

CSOS ENGAGE THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE ON THE CURRENT STATE OF SECURITY IN GHANA.

Members of the SDG Goal 16 sub-platform have held a meeting with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the current state of security in Ghana.

The group which entailed a 10-member delegation from different civil society organizations paid a courtesy call on the Inspector General of Police at the National Police Headquarters, on 15 July 2021 to discuss the current state of security in the country and how CSOs can help to improve the situation.

The CSOs listed the recent spate of armed robberies in Accra and across the country, including broad daylight robberies resulting in the loss of lives and properties; the Ejura shooting incident which is currently under investigation, the #FixThe Country brouhaha; the imminent threat of terrorist attacks as some of the worrying indicators that led the group to seek audience with the IGP.

The IGP expressed gratitude to the Goal 16 platform for taking the initiative. He noted that the Ejura killing was unfortunate and they have arranged counselling for some of the victims and their family. He shared that even though the crime rate seems to be on the rise in 2021, the numbers are not more than that of 2020, 2019 around the same time. He acknowledged however that the level of atrocity committed in the currently reported crimes is more serious. He assured the group that Ghana Police is working hard to overcome their challenges to improve the security situation. He mentioned increasing visibility of the police and efforts to improve the police to citizen ratio as some of such measures.

The IGP encouraged the CSOs to carry out more advocacy and sensitisation to educate the general populace on some of the laws regarding peace and security in the country. He reiterated the importance of this engagement and promised to hold more of such engagements with CSOs.

The Goal 16 delegation also made the following recommendations to the IGP and his team:

1. Increase Police to citizen’s ratio

2. Increase the visibility of the police

3. Review training modules of recruits to be more human rights centered and improve police citizen’s relations and crowd control

4. Review recruitment policies to avoid politicization of the police force

5. Need to improve the professionalism of the police to improve public Trust

6. Collaborate more with CSOs

7. More education for the media and citizens on laws and the work of the police and also in preventing violent extremism and terrorist attacks.

The goal 16 sub-platform pledged its support to the IGP and his team.

SDG16 CONVENING TEAM

By Isaac Dzidzoamenu