A security analyst, Dr Victor Doke, has raised red flags over recent comments made by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, during his visit to Bawku.
The expert described them as ill-timed and potentially harmful to efforts aimed at restoring peace in the conflict-prone area.
The IGP had assured the youth of enrollment into the security service if they laid down their weapons in the protracted conflict which has resurfaced.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Friday, April 11, the analyst described the IGP’s communication since arriving in Bawku as “problematic” and urged security agencies to be more cautious in their public statements.
According to the analyst, Dr. Yohuno’s suggestion that youth who lay down their arms could be considered for recruitment into the security services sends the wrong message and risks escalating tensions.
Dr Doke stressed that the focus of the security apparatus should be on urging youth to disarm and facilitating the safe retrieval of weapons from the community, rather than making statements that could be misinterpreted.
He added that while the intentions behind the IGP’s comments may have been genuine, the timing and manner in which they were delivered were inappropriate and counterproductive to peace-building efforts.
At a press briefing on Friday, April 11, Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, describing the IGP’s comment as “out of place” and urged him to reconsider.
“This is purported to be his major public statement ever since he was appointed. Maybe he made that statement just on the spur of the moment, but it is clearly an unfortunate statement.
“It is most unfortunate to say that if you lay down your arms, you will be considered for recruitment. It is out of place. If any other person says this, yes, we may not attach such seriousness, but coming from the IGP, the ramification of that statement is so critical. I think the IGP should consider that statement again,” he said.
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