The Tema Regional Police Command has debunked claims that #FixTheCountry convener, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, was stopped from making a food donation to suspects at the Ashaiman Police Station.
According to the Police Service feeding of persons in police custody is the responsibility of the government but due to cultural sensitivities families of suspects are usually allowed to provide food to them from time to time.
They added that food brought to suspects in custody is subjected to stringent safety and security protocols before being accepted for consumption.
Mr. Oliver Barker-Vormawor, stated that the inmates don’t have relatives who check up on them and provide them food and toiletries which they lack but he was prevented by the police when he tried to support those ‘needy’ inmates.
However, the Police said that “in spite of the notice given him [Barker-Vormawor], he showed up at the Police Station in the company of some other individuals and a musical band with the obvious intention still of making the donation and creating unnecessary drama.”
A statement signed by Head of Public Affairs in Tema, Chief Inspector Stella Dede Dzakpasu, explained that Mr. Barker-Vormawor was informed through his lawyers his initiative was against Police Standard Operating Procedure (SoP), therefore, was advised to refrain from carrying out the said donation.
The Police further indicated that Mr. Barker-Vormawor’s intention to feed the suspects in custody is hardly an enterprise he can sustain even for more than a day.
The Police have urged the public to disregard such reports while noting that “Police are held accountable for whatever happens to persons in our custody.
