Kwesi Pratt Jnr. says government should give Heads of Security agencies "security of tenure" to ensure they are not changed by successive governments.
Speaking on the issue of mob injustice and violence in the country, the seasoned journalist bemoaned the lack of confidence in the security services.
He wondered why some Ghanaians seem to have lost their confidence in the security agencies, hence arrogating the law into their own hands and administering instant justice on offenders of the law.
To him, the culture of mob injustice and violence that has characterized the nation should be nipped in the bud.
Proffering solutions to curb this menace on Peace FM's Kokrokoo, the Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper believed giving security Heads "security of tenure" will help revive the confidence of the people in the security fabric of the country, explaining that the heads should be maintained in their offices irrespective of the government in power.
He cited the changing of IGPs by successive governments asking "why does every government that come works with the Chief Justice? It works with Chairman of National Commission on Civic Education. It works with Chairman of CHRAJ. It works with Chairman of Electoral Commission but for Police, when a government comes; it must get her own IGP. Why? Why must every government that comes must have her own CDS?"
Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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Even though i agree with you Kwesi, let us also advise the security personnel to be neutral. If a security boss is seen always doing the ruling governments bidding, what happens if a new government assumes office? Our security chiefs should be neutral always.
The FBI director tenure in the USA is 10years but the President as the commander in chief could retire the FBI director as he wishes, President Trump just over a month ago fired the FBI director who supposed to have 10years tenure without any problem whats Mr Pratt talking about. Police, Military, National security are all under the control of the Presidency.
i agree. the issue has been that all the plans for these institutions have become more of the ruling party rather than the nation. If there is a national plan for the security services for which we should all adhere to irrespective of who leads, why would a new government care about who implements it? My humble addition to the term of office policy is that, it should spell out the resettlement plan after the tenure of office, like the judiciary.
Don Biko, i agree with you. The problem is never about who heads these institutions. The problem is the perception we have about these institutions. No anti-corruption body has pointed a finger at the military. How come the police service is always in the news when corruption is mentioned. They even confirm very negative perception by what they are seen doing on the roads everyday. Who then will have any confidence in the police service? The government of the day appoints the heads of several institutions. Why is it always the police that is perceived to be corrupt?
Most people seem to support Kwesi Pratt on his view. Fair enough. But think over it again. What about the issue of attrition? Once one stays too long a period at one place he is overtaken by weaknesses and overshadowed by swollen-headedness and eventually becomes worse off if he is not the type and the likes of some of us. Care must be taken in this regard.
Kwasi, as for this one I support you 100%. If really we want the security services to work properly, we should secure the tenure of the security heads just as we have for Chief Justice, CHRAJ boss etc. I have been saying this long ago. We must let the security heads work for Ghana and Ghanaians and not for Presidents. Kwasi, I encourage you and all who want peace and effective, efficient security to seek the fulfillment of this agenda.
I support Masa on this, these positions must be depoliticized to allow for their strengthening and streamlining of their activities.
It is the police in which we don't have confidence and the reason is simple: they are incompetent and corrupt(from the lowest rank to the highest). There are a few very dedicated cops to be honest but you never get an encounter with them. It's the corrupt and incompetent ones who you meet every day because they are in the majority. And complaints about their conduct are poorly investigated(just like any other case) or not investigated at all and they carry on with their impunity and it is their impunity which is robbing off on the populace. I had at least 3 encounters with the police and their conduct in each encounter smacks of incompetence and corruption. First incident: There was this weird-looking guy who came to my house to ask for money and I told him l didn't have money that day so he should come another time. The guy held up a threatening sign to my face that I was not assured of tomorrow! Whilst he turned to go I stealthily took pictures of him and went to the police station to report.After narrating the incident the guy asked me whether I owed the man to which I replied no. All this while he wasn't even looking in my direction but was chatting with a colleague.I was therefore not surprised when he asked me the same question he had asked earlier and sounded very disinterested in what I was saying.By now I was really angry as I just stood there but I managed to calm and ask for at least a help line of the police in case I needed to. After a little hesitation he gave me a number which till date has never gone through when dialled!