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The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akufo-Dampare, has asked the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, to learn to stay within her limits.
The IGP’s caution follows comments made by Madam Thompson about the arrest of the convener of the FixTheCountry Movement, Oliver Barker-Vormawor.
In a tweet posted on May 17, the Commissioner said “Oliver Barker Vormawor, the convener of #FixTheCountry Movement, arrested again, I understand, for a motoring offense on his way to court. I’ll be interested to see where this goes…,”
Oliver Barker Vormawor, convener of #FixTheCountry movement, arrested again, I understand for a motoring offence on his way to court. I’ll be interested to see where this goes… https://t.co/iK5hZDZUln
— Harriet Thompson (@HCThompson001) May 17, 2022
But responding to the tweet, the Ghana Police Service said her comments were “intended to tarnish the reputation of the Ghana Police Service and that of our Country.”
Police Administration’s Response to the British High Commissioner’s Tweet on the Arrest of Oliver Baker-Vormawor, on 17th May, 2022 pic.twitter.com/ZIlFYHWKdx
— Ghana Police Service (@GhPoliceService) May 31, 2022
“For the moment, we would recommend a Ghanaian saying that might guide you in your diplomatic engagements. The saying goes “di wo fie as3m” – it means learn to keep within the limits of what concerns you”, a letter signed by the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare to Harriet Thompson read.
According to the police, Barker-Vormawor was among other drivers who were arrested separately for road traffic offences and he was taken through due process.
They thus, queried why he was the only focus of the British envoy.
The police explained that “Ordinarily, the Ghana Police Service would not have responded to comments such as yours, obviously made from either a biased or uninformed position. However, we have learned from a previous painful experience that it has not been helpful to ignore such misguided, unwarranted, and biased comments intended to tarnish the reputation of the Ghana Police Service and that of our country.”
“What is more, we consider your tweet a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 which enjoins diplomatic missions not to interfere in the internal affairs of their host country,” it added.
Meanwhile, some Ghanaians have taken to Twitter to express their views on the IGP’s four paged letter to the British High Commissioner.
5/5 The least expectation of a leader worth his salt is to focus on cleaning up the battered image of the Police and restoring public confidence in the Service. Defending wrong-doing while snapping at genuine criticism is not the new dawn of Policing that he promised us.
— Sammy Gyamfi (@SammyGyamfi2017) May 31, 2022
Dampare wants to tell the British high commissioner that Ghana is a sovereign country hence he shouldn't meddle in out affairs, that may be right but he should be careful cus even Nana Addo can't tell them that. What will he do if they decide to take their loans 😂
— Professor Kweku Bentil (@fanti_boy) May 31, 2022
At last @GhPoliceService has gained my respect
What a solid reply to the British High commissioner. They have disrespected us enough and have to be put in their places . Ghana police is one of the most hardworking institutions and must be respected . The disrespect is enough pic.twitter.com/uRFK6pyuSy— Volta Youth (@YouthAllianceM2) May 31, 2022
An Apt Response from the Ghana Police to the British High Commissioner in Ghana https://t.co/oIwYN1mPrF
— HavertzNation (@sethaadusei) May 31, 2022
What has preventing the Ghana Police from arresting the man who violated the Vienna Convention of 1961 by demolishing the property of the Bulgarian Embassy if the same law means anything to the IGP?
— Worlali Ametewee (@WAmetewee) May 31, 2022
