The news of the death of a resident of Nkoranza, Albert Donkor, while in police custody, has generated outrage and commendation across the country.
According to the mother of Albert Donkor, Comfort Gyameah, her son was picked up by the police on Monday, April 25, she made it clear to the officers her son was engaged in decent work and had no record of involving himself in any robbery incident.
She said the officers would hear none of her pleas and sent her son, 27, to the Nkoranza Divisional Police Headquarters.
She said efforts to find out where her son was sent to proved futile as she was directed to Techiman, then to Kintampo and finally to Accra, on a wild-goose chase.
The distraught mother said it was on Friday, May 13 when some officers came to inform the family that Albert Donkor died in a shootout while on his way in the company of the police to show them the hideout of some “other” robbers.
While condemning the killing, the Member of Parliament for North Tongue, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has described the murder as an “epidemic of injustice”.
In a post on his social media handle, the legislator opined that the country’s human rights credentials will continuously experience a decline if inmates are killed with impunity.
Mr Ablakwa further rallied patriotic citizens to stand with the people of Nkoranza in demanding justice for Albert Donkor.
“Ghana’s human rights credentials would continue to deteriorate if citizens in police custody are increasingly killed with such despicable impunity. All true patriots must stand with the people of Nkoranza to demand justice for Albert Donkor. The Ghana Police Service needs a purge,” he posted on his Facebook wall.
Similarly, a statement from the MP of Nkoranza South MP, Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum, dismissed the police report that Albert Donkor was shot dead when he led the police to another robber’s hideout.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time a suspect, has died in police custody, it is becoming one too many.
Youth of Nkoranza, in a show of solidarity and expression of anger, attacked the police station in the town, freeing some suspect in custody in the process.
The police in open display of power, unprofessionally shot into the crowd, killing a 19-year old final year student.
As a newspaper, we appeal for restraint and urge all parties to guard against inciting and derogatory statements that could worsen an already tense situation.
We also frown at the way and manner the police have been going about their duty lately. They are trained to protect lives and properties. Nothing justifies the killing of a fellow human being under any guise.
The policemen, who take pleasure in killing suspects should be identified, isolated and dealt with according to the law. By so doing, the service can retain the trust of the public which is crucial to the success of its operations.
