Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh has lambasted Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno for suggesting that individuals who lay down their arms could be considered for police recruitment.
Addressing a press conference on the crisis, Annoh-Dompreh expressed deep dismay over the IGP’s remarks, labeling them as “reckless and unfortunate.”
He emphasized that such a statement, coming from the nation’s top law enforcement official, carries significant weight and could have far-reaching consequences.
“The comment of the IGP, this is purported to be his major public statement ever since he was appointed. And maybe he made that statement just on the spur of the moment, but it is clearly an unfortunate statement.
“It is most unfortunate to say that if you lay down your arms, you’ll be considered for recruitment. It is out of place. If any other person said this, yes, we may not attach seriousness. But coming from the IGP and the ramifications of that statement it is critical,” Annoh-Dompreh said.
Annoh-Dompreh warned that if such a policy were to be applied universally, it could embolden violent actors in other volatile regions, leading to further instability.
He questioned whether individuals from other parts of the country would also be offered similar incentives if they engaged in conflict and later laid down their arms.
“Does it mean that people from other parts of the country will also just fight, and then when they lay down their arms, they will be considered for recruitment into the police service?” he quizzes.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has assured that the Asantehene-led peace mediation process, spearheaded by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will resume next week as part of intensified efforts to restore calm in the conflict-hit Bawku area
Source: www.kumasimail.com/ Kwadwo Owusu
