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Don’t use police to intimidate children – Chief Supt Tay
Ghana Police
Parents have been cautioned against the use of the police to intimidate or threaten children, ostensibly to get them to do what is right.
The action,according to Chief Superintendent Seth Tay of the Tema Regional Police Command, was likely to take away their confidence in the police and also make the children see them (the police) as enemies.
Chief Superintendent Seth Taysaid this at a forumorganised by the St. Paul Methodist Cathedral, Tema last Sunday.
The programme sought to educate and throw light on Police arrests and prosecution of offenders vis-a-vis the offenders’ rights during the process.
It formed part of the Coordinating Office of Social Services of the Church termed “know the law” forum.
According to Mr. Tay, children should be encouraged to see the police as friends whom they could easily run to when they have challenges, a situation he said was important for their safety and security.
He said some children have over the years been helpful in investigation from their observations and disclosure of information to the police, adding that“It has been significant in unravelling crime and that was why they should be drawn closer to the institution.”
He also encouraged the public to be law abiding to make the society a safe place to live.
Chief Superintendent Taycautioned the public against shielding people in their communities who were engaged on any form of criminal activities.
He said when a person was shielded, it emboldened them to commit more crimes and in the process endanger the lives of every member of the community.
He noted that where a person was also arrested by the police on suspicion of any crime, it was important for them to be law-abiding and interact with the police politely instead of being hostile as that had not been helpful in some cases.
He assured the public that the police was there to serve them and so both should cooperate to make the society a better place.
Meanwhile, the Director of Kobiri-Wood and Associates, Mrs. Adelaide Kobiri-Woode has advised the public to learn about their basic rights as citizenson their own.
She said when this was done, they would be well equipped to deal with issues that could confront them and to understand the right measures to take.
She advised that much as people were arrested, they had the right to remain silent because whatever they said could be used against them in the law court.
Mrs. Kobiri-Wood stated that in cases where they were not satisfied with a verdict, they had the right to appeal.
She advised people todesist from physical confrontations with the police even if they felt unfairly treated.
She encouraged persons who could not afford the services of lawyers to go to Legal Aid for assistance so that they would be better placed to understand issues.
From DzifaTettehTay, Tema
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
