The Alliance for Restoration of Civil Rights (ARCR) has announced its upcoming protest aimed at addressing systemic failures and corruption within the Ghana Police Service.
The demonstration, titled “Occupy and Cleanse the Crime Scene,” is set to take place on September 11, 2024, and seeks to highlight the growing mistrust between the public and the police force.
William Kofi Yirenkyi, the founder of the Alliance for Restoration of Civil Rights (ARCR), addressed journalists at a press conference in Accra, citing alarming reports from international organizations and expressing grave concerns about the deteriorating integrity of the police service.
“A recent Afrobarometer survey revealed that only 28% of Ghanaians trust the police, while 65% of respondents identified the police as the most corrupt institution in the country.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of State has raised concerns over issues such as corruption, impunity, and human rights violations within the service.
These reports,” Yirenkyi emphasized, “demonstrate the urgent need for reform, as the Ghana Police Service’s tarnished reputation jeopardizes the nation’s democratic standing and public safety.”
“The situation is dire. When the very institution meant to uphold the law becomes synonymous with corruption, we must take immediate action to protect the rights and dignity of all Ghanaians,” he stated.
As a matter of urgency, ARCR outlined several key demands, including:
- Immediate dismissal of key police officials, including the Director-General of CID, ACP Faustina Agyeiwaa Kodua Andoh-Kwofi, and the Greater Accra Regional Commander, DCOP Arhin Kwasi Annor, citing misconduct and failure to address significant criminal complaints.
- Release of critical information unlawfully withheld by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in violation of directives from the Right to Information Commission.
- Resignation of the IGP if reforms are not initiated within seven days of the protest.
- Comprehensive reforms in the Ghana Police Service, including better training, stricter oversight, and the establishment of independent investigative bodies.
- Increased public awareness of systemic corruption within the police and its threat to civil rights and democracy in Ghana.
- Dismantling the culture of impunity ensures that all public officials, including police officers, are held accountable for their actions.
- International support, seeking the attention of human rights organizations and foreign diplomatic missions to pressure the Ghanaian government into addressing police misconduct.
Yirenkyi emphasized that the protest is not only aimed at addressing failures within the police force but also at recognizing the dedication of officers who serve with integrity. However, he stressed that systemic corruption and impunity endanger both the public and law enforcement personnel.
“This protest is peaceful but determined,” Yirenkyi concluded. “We demand a police service that values integrity over corruption and human rights over brutality. The time for reform is now.”
The ARCR therefore called on all Ghanaians, civil society organizations, and the international community to join the protest on September 11, 2024, as they advocate for a safer, fairer, and more just Ghana.
Below is the full statement
Alliance for Restoration of Civil RightsAlliance for Restoration of Civil Rights
