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Culprits of electoral violence won’t be spared – Ambrose Dery

All those who perpetrated violence leading to the death or injury of others before, during and after the December, 2020 General Election, would be brought to book, Minister for The Interior-designate, Ambrose Dery, has assured. 

At least six people were reported dead during the polls with dozens sustaining injuries in violent clashes before, during and immediately after the polls. 

People were reported injured or dead, at Odododiodioo, Ablekuma Central, Techiman South, and Gushegu among others, during the 2020 elections. 

In the Ablekuma Central for instance, the suspect, a national security operative, is standing trial at an Accra Circuit Court. 

Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, in Accra, on Tuesday, Mr Dery, who is also NPP MP for Nandom, said no stone would be left unturned in prosecuting suspects because investigations were underway. 

“Let me assure the relatives of the deceased that we will do all in our power to make sure all those who perpetrated those acts are brought to book. Yes, they have my assurance,” he told the committee. 

According to Mr Dery, the police was adequately resourced and motivated to provide the needed protection for high profile Ghanaians and did not need the assistance of the military in carrying out their duties. 

“The police are competent and adequately motivated and resourced. We do not need the army,” he stated. 

Mr Dery said that though the police “needed the army from time to time which has led to joint operations” when he served as the Interior Minister in the previous government, the capacity of the police has been built to take charge of internal security. 

He indicated that “I expect that Parliament will continue to support the efforts to resource the security agencies and police, and yes, I agree, we should let the soldiers go back and play their traditional role.”

On armed robbery, Mr Dery said the crime was of great concern to government, and steps would be taken to stem the tide. 

“The recent spate of armed robberies is of concern to government and we are determined to fight it. I want to send Gov’t’s condolences to all affected families,” he stressed.

Mr Dery said significant gains have been made in terms of accommodation for security personnel over the last few years, though it still remained a major concern which was being addressed aggressively. 

“The security agencies face a lot of challenges including housing. In the last four years, we had to introduce a renting assistance scheme for some members of the police unit”, he added.

With increasing cases of suicide by police, Mr Dery said the Police Administration had sought the intervention of the Psychology Association of Ghana to deal with the issue. 

The Police Administration, he revealed, had instituted full-scale investigations into the recent police suicide cases. 

BY JULIUS YAOPETETSI

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