According to Professor Kwesi Aning, director of the faculty of academic affairs and research at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, the Ghana Police Service has struggled to control crowds and riots ever since it was founded.
To address this problem, he has advocated for an ongoing training program for the officers.
In an interview with TV3’s Roland Walker on the just concluded two-day rally, which was organized by members of the Arise Ghana pressure group and finished on Wednesday, June 29, Prof. Aning made these declarations.
“The demonstrators or the organizers likely had the support of a significant percentage of Ghana.” The violence that can result from these political outbursts is something that the typical Ghanaian does not desire since it could spiral out of control and lead to undesirable outcomes. But throughout the Ghana Police Service’s existence, crowd management and riot control have been the one constant difficulty.
Prof Aning added “Training and a focus on just one or two types particularly with their rather easy love affair with the use of tear gas , probably just one or two types, so they can master the mastery of using tear gas and water canons. But I think it is a matter of training because the demonstrations are going to continue, the population is going to grow, our population is growing so astronomically, our urban spaces expanding in such unplanned, disturbing rate that routine law enforcement is already a problem.”
Meanwhile, the Police have announced in a statement on Thursday June 30 that the number of officers who were injured during the first day of the Arise Ghana demonstration, increased from twelve (12) to fifteen (15).
All the officers are being treated at the Police Hospital with two under going emergency surgery, the Police added.
“We are grateful to our sector Minister, Hon. Ambrose Dery, Minister for the Interior, for leading a team to visit the officers at the hospital.
“The Police Administration wishes to express its appreciation to members of the public for their show of love and support for the affected officers,” a statement said.
On Thursday June 30 the Police granted bail to 29 persons who were picked up during the protest.
“They were held at four different police stations across the city,” a private legal practitioner Mr Abraham Amaliba told TV3’s Emmanuel Samani on the mid day news .
The 29 persons were kept in police custody after being arrested for breaching the law on Day 1.
The first day of the exercise was marred by chaotic scenes with the pelting of stones and firing of tear gas and spraying of hot water against protesters.
Day 2, whose starting point was moved to the El Wak Sports Stadium as a result of events of Day 1, was held peacefully as petitions were presented to the Ministry of Finance and Parliament.
In a press release on Wednesday, June 29, the Service commended the peaceful outcome of Day 2.
“We are grateful to the general public for their cooperation and understanding in spite of the inconvenience the demonstration undoubtedly caused them,” the release signed by Director of Public Affairs Grace Ansah-Akrofi said.
“Whilst we continue to register our disappointment at the riotous conduct of the demonstrators on the first day, we commend them for their comportment today which, we hope, would provide lessons for future occasions to help deepen our democratic practices as a country.”
Commending personnel deployed onto the grounds, the Service also took the opportunity to wish all injured officers a speedy recovery.
