A former Deputy Minister of Information Felix Kwakye Ofosu believes the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is behind the letter written by the Inspector General of Police Dr George Akuffo Dampare to the British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson.
The Police Administration issued a strongly-worded response to what they described as uninformed, biased comment made by Harriet Thompson on the arrest of Convener of FixTheCounctry Movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, on 17th May, 2022.
In a tweet on Tuesday May 17, Harriet Thompson said regarding the arrest that, “Oliver Barker Vormawor, convener of #FixTheCountry movement, arrested again, I understand for a motoring offence on his way to court. I’ll be interested to see where this goes…”.
But in a statement issued by the Inspector General of Police, Dr George Akuffo Dampare on Tuesday May 31, the Police said “we consider you tweet violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 which enjoins diplomatic missions not to interfere in the internal affairs of their host countries.
“Your Excellency, the fact that you use the ‘arrested again’ we believe must mean you were making reference to previous occasions Mr Barker Vormwaor was arrested for threatening the security of the state and recently for motor traffic offences.”
Barker-Vormawor was arrested and charged for “careless and inconsiderate driving” at a Madina District Court.
He was arrested Tuesday May 17 by officers of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service.
He announced the charge himself on his personal Facebook page.
This matter has divided public opinion with some analysts indicating that the IGP was right in issuing the letter whereas others think otherwise.
Mr Kwakye Ofosu in a tweet said “The NPP that supported Jon Benjamin’s misbehavior suddenly reeling under the innocuous tweet of a British High Commissioner? What a ridiculous bunch!”
North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also described the IGP’s statement as highhanded, a statement that is full of raw and undiplomatic expressions.
Speaking in interview with TV3’s Komla Adom on the mid day news, Tuesday May 31, Mr Ablakwa who is the Minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, said “To be very sincere it is my view that this matter could have been handled much better. The IGP could have raised his concerns with the Minister respodnble for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
“Those are the normal diplomatic channels , the Foreign Missions could have conveyed whatever concerns the Ghanaian has with the High Commissioner. If you look at the statement which has now been made public, it is very highhanded , very strong words, the use of very raw, undiplomatic language. It is as though the IGP is not speaking to a friendly country. “
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana