A Program Manager with environmental ‘Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), ‘Hen Mpoano, David Osei has suggested to the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno to consider transferring Police Commanders in galamsey-prone areas to tougher jurisdictions.
In his opinion, such a transfer would be a deterrent to new commanders who take over from their predecessors.
David Osei contends the Police Commanders would not compromise in the discharge of their duty should such a rule be benchmarked against their performance.
“Whoever takes over must know they can be replaced if they mess up. Left to me, those leaving must be transferred to a more difficult terrain. That will send the right signal to the new commanders. They will be very careful when they assume office,” he told Paa Kojo Peters on Connect FM’s Orokodo Kasaebo midday news in Takoradi.
His comments follow a directive by the IGP effecting a transfer of all Divisional and District Commanders of the Police Service in galamsey-prone areas. Commenting further on this subject, David Osei said the decision is long overdue.
“It’s been long overdue. It was a dent on the integrity of those officers where galamsey was rampant,” he reiterated.
The Hen Mpoano Project Manager however added that one would be mistaken to blame the Police alone in matters regarding the destruction caused by galamseyers. He indicated that the traditional authorities and other persons of influence within galamsey-infested-communities are equally at fault.
“We cannot say the problem is with only the Police. The traditional authorities and opinion leaders are equally liable. They have to be spoken to.”
The decision to transfer police commanders in galamsey-prone areas was taken upon an order by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, earlier this month. The Minister believed that such a move will strengthen efforts taken to curb illegal mining across the country.
