Ghana Police Service Denies Reports of Officer’s Dismissal in Ablekuma Incident

The Ghana Police Service has refuted claims circulating in some media outlets that an officer involved in an altercation during the Ablekuma North By-Election is facing dismissal. In a statement, the Police Service clarified that no decision has been made regarding the officer’s fate, emphasizing that their internal disciplinary procedures are quasi-judicial and case-dependent.

The Police Service asserts that no decision has been made on dismissing the officer involved in the Ablekuma incident.

The internal disciplinary procedures are thorough and consider each case individually, with multiple possible sanctions.

The Police Service pledges to follow the law, ensuring justice and order in handling the matter.

This development comes after the officer was interdicted and referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation following a viral video showing him assaulting a journalist, Banahene Agyekum of GHOne TV, at a polling station

Background

A police inspector whose name is currently unknown has allegedly slapped a journalist with Accra-based GHOne TV, Banahene Agyekum, in the ongoing Ablekuma North rerun.

Mr. Agyekum was reporting at the Church of Pentecost polling station in Odorkor.

Recounting his experience during an interview with the media, the journalist shared that he was performing his regular duties when a police inspector suddenly instructed him to vacate the premises.

He explained that several journalists were in the same area; hence, he was surprised as to why he was singled out by the officer.

“I even showed him my ID card to prove that I am a journalist, justifying why I can’t leave when he slapped me,” he stated.

A widely circulated video released by Accra-based Original TV shows the visibly agitated police officer in action, with efforts by his fellow officers to de-escalate the situation proving unsuccessful.

Mr. Agyekum, visibly upset, described the police officer as aggressive in his conduct. He revealed that the same officer had earlier confronted the Accra Mayor, Michael Kpakpo, in a similar manner, only backing down after bystanders identified the mayor.