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Let’s cherish and value our own instead of these wild vilifications
The word vilification means the act of saying or writing unpleasant things about someone or something in order to cause other people to have a bad opinion of them. An act of vilification is capable of inciting hatred, ill-will and disaffection towards someone or attempting to destroy a reputation by open and direct abuse. Such behaviour is so offensive and cannot be tolerated whatsoever in a society which seeks the welfare of its people.
OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR
There are situations where people considered to be your own brother, friend , family member or companion will smile at you, eat and drink with you, interact with you more often and frequently, work in a friendly and cordial at mosphere with you and above all, do everything with you in common, but inwardly, that person will be pretentious and doing all these things for fun as he or she hates you and have no regards for you whatsoever. That is nature and we must be on guard to fish and flush out for such pretenders.
I have decided to go on this tangent because of what is happening in the Ghana Police Service (GPS) in recent times in which the Inspector General of Police, the overall boss of the Ghana Police Service is being willfully maligned, attacked, accused and vilified by his own senior police officers for no apparent reasons.
COMMITTEE TO PROBE THE LEAKED TAPE
On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, a leaked audio recording, allegedly involving a Police Commissioner and a politician discussing a plot to remove the IGP, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare from office circulated on social and the traditional media. Consequently, the Minority Caucus in Parliament, called for a probe into the leaked tape. The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin in his wisdom, constituted a seven-member bi-partisan Committee to authenticate the audio and probe into the se cret recording of an alleged plot to remove the IGP from office ahead of the 2024 general election. The committee which started its work on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, was mandated to report back to the House on September 10, 2023, but that had not been successful due to on-going investigation.
AGGRIEVED POLICE OFFICERS IN COURT
It appears that there is a pend ing court case involving some 82 aggrieved police officers who have sued the Attorney General, the GPS and the IGP for acting unfairly and capriciously concerning the failure of the service to promote them. According to them they were due for promotions after the completion of their studies, through the study leave with pay policy, of the service, but they were yet to be promoted several months after the completion of their studies. Since the matter is still pending, I do not want to go into the merits and de merits of the case to avoid conflict with the law.
What is more worrying and disturbing is the personal attacks on the competence and integrity of the IGP by the three senior officers – COP George Alex Mensah, Superintendents George Asare and Gyebi, who had earlier testified before the committee with wild allegations against their boss which necessitated the invitation of the IGP by the committee chaired by Samuel Atta-Akyea (NPP), Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South with James Agalga (NDC), MP for Builsa North as his vice. So far so good.
IGP BEFORE THE COMMITTEE
When the IGP appeared before the committee on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, it was emotionally stricken but astute policeman that he is, he was able to control his emotions as he tried to defend himself against the wild allegations that have been levelled against him by his own officers in the service. His initial comments were so sorrowful and indeed heart- troubling. After initial argument between his legal team and the committee that the three senior police officers who have levelled allegations against their client should not sit through the IGP’s testimony, the chairman overruled that objection with the view that their presence was not in any way going to be injurious to the IGP and that they would not be allowed to interject in the proceedings at any point in time. When cool atmosphere was established, the IGP, flanked by his lawyers and with the support of senior management of the Ghana Police Service, set the ball rolling with his initial comments after the chairman had asked him whether he had listened to the tape in question.
INITIAL COMMENTS BY IGP
Hear the IGP; “Honourable Chair, thank you and thank you to the members of the committee. I will like to say that Hon. Chair, if you will permit me, I will like to make a few opening remarks. Honourable Chair, there have been a lot of is sues about my person and I will like toi take the opportunity to speak to a few of them, for about the next three to five minutes”. Honestly the two to five minutes remarks travelled about 20 minutes without interruption. He spent most of his time talking about his family matters and his upbringing, academic achievement, Christian background, where he was raised during infancy, how friendly he has been to friends and colleagues and indeed, giving explanations, clarifications, debunking the allegations that had been made about his person and the police service under his leadership. He ended up by saying, “honourable Chair, I am here, being asked to answer to wild, unsubstantiated allegations by my brothers, in order to cover up their shame. I am ready, thank you.”.
PAINFUL AND HEART-BREAKING
It was so painful and heart-breaking to me and many others who were glued to their television sets to watch and listen the chief executive of our national security apparatus – Ghana Police Service pouring out issues he claimed he knew nothing about. Right now, it is left to the committee to weigh the IGP’s testimonies against that of his accusers- the three senior po lice officers and establish the truth in the allegations
PROTECTING POLICE INTEGRITY
This particular encounter, has brought to the fore the need for people to appreciate hard work and tenacity of purpose, respect for authority in spite of political differences and no matter where one finds himself or herself because the future is unknown. We should not allow politics to divide our ranks and create disaffection and hatred for ourselves. It is important to bid our time and wait for the opportu nity to show up.
Let us remember that the Ghana Police Service is a noble institution established by law to protect and safeguard the lives of the people and ensure that they move about freely. It is an institution that de mands confidence and respect from the people and therefore if officers from that institution do not have confidence in its leadership, then we are doomed as a country. The service must therefore be freed of politics to enable the institution to operate effectively.
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By Charles Neequaye
When Abigail Fremah steps up to the Armwrestling table, the noise fades, the tension settles, and order takes over.
Despite a calm, but firm and meticulous disposition, she has become one of the quiet forces shaping Ghana’s growing reputation in the sport, not as an athlete, but a referee trusted on the continental stage.
Abigail’s journey into Armwrestling did not begin at the table. Like many Ghanaian sports enthusiasts, she grew up playing several disciplines. Football was her first love, but she also featured in volleyball and basketball during her school years. Sports, she says, was simply a way of life not just for her.
“It runs through the family. All my siblings are into sports,” she stated.
“I was involved in almost every sport in school, football, volleyball, netball, hockey; I did everything,” she recalls.
Her academic background in Health, Physical Education and Recreation laid a solid foundation for her sporting career. While on scholarship at the university (University of Cape Coast), she often used her modest budget to support young athletes, sometimes sharing skills and even T-shirts at programmes she attended. Giving back, she explains, has always been part of her motivation.
However, as she matured as an athlete, Abigail made a critical self-assessment.
“Armwrestling involves a lot of strength,” she admits. “Looking at my body type, I realised I couldn’t fit properly as a competitive athlete.”
That moment of honesty pushed her to a different trajectory but equally important path in sports; which is officiating.
During her National Service, she was encouraged by Mr Charles Osei Asibey, the President of the Ghana Armwrestling Federation (GAF), to consider officiating. He introduced her to a technical official, Mr Hussein Akuerteh Addy, who formally took her through the basics of Armwrestling officiating in 2021.
“I started as a case official,” she says. “We moved from region to region every week, officiating competitions. That’s where it all began.”
By 2022, Abigail was actively involved in national assignments, though she missed the African Championship that year. Her breakthrough came in 2023, when Ghana hosted the African Armwrestling Championship.
It was her first experience officiating at a major international competition and it changed everything.
“That was my first national and international exposure at the same time,” she says. “It really opened my eyes.”
Today, Abigail is a World Junior Armwrestling Referee, a status earned through performance, consistency and discipline. She explains that progression in officiating was not automatic.
“It’s all about performance, your appearance at African Championships, your conduct, how you handle pressure; that’s what takes you to the world level,” she stressed.
As a referee, Abigail’s priority is safety and fairness. Armwrestling, she notes, comes with risks, particularly injuries to the wrists, elbows, shoulders and arms.
“If athletes don’t follow the rules or refuse to listen to officials, injuries can happen,” she explains, adding that focus was everything.
Before every match, she ensures that all equipment which includes elbow pads, hand pegs and table alignment were properly set. Athletes are not allowed to cover their elbows, must grip correctly, and must follow the referee’s commands precisely.
“We make sure everything is fixed before the grip,” she says. “Once we say ‘Ready… Go’, there should be no confusion.”
She is also firm on discipline. Warnings are issued for infractions, and repeated misconduct attracts penalties.
“The referee must be respected, if you don’t listen, the rules will deal with you,” she says.
Abigail credits her confidence partly to her sporting family background. Her mother was a volleyball player, while other family members also participated in sports. Though they were initially concerned about her safety, her rise to the top reassured them.
“They were afraid at first,” she admits. “But they were also very proud, especially because some of them never got the opportunity to reach this level.”
Looking ahead, Abigail is optimistic about the future of Armwrestling in Ghana. In less than a decade, the country has produced African and world-level medalists, a sign, she believes, of great things to come for Ghana.
“Whenever we go out, we come back with medals such as gold and silver,” she says, and to her that was a sign of growth.
In the next five to ten years, Abigail sees herself rising to become a World Master Referee, the highest officiating level in the sport. Until then, her routine remains intense, training four times a week, working closely with athletes, standing on her feet for hours, and constantly refining her understanding of the rules.
“I love this sport,” she says simply. “That love is what keeps me going.”
Abigail encouraged women to be bold and intentional about their place in sports saying “don’t limit yourself because of fear or stereotypes.”
She also urged women to invest in learning, discipline and consistency, stressing that respect was earned through performance.
For Abigail, as Ghana’s armwrestlers continue to make their mark, she will remain where she is most effective at the table, ensuring the game is played right.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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As he had promised Aperkeh, the elderly man and his wife and three daughters stopped by Aperkeh’s parents’ house. Mr Amando and his family were preparing to settle in for the night.
“Brother Ben and family”, Mr Joshua Amando said warmly, “although I know you are here on a matter that can hardly be described as joyous, it is still good to see you. You are welcome. Please sit down while I bring you water”.
“Yes, we will take water, even though we are hardly thirsty, because this is our home”.
“Okay, Ben”, he started after they had drank, “Let me go straight to the point. My daughter Priscilla has told me about the goings on between her brother Aperkeh and our daughter Stella.
Before informing me, Priscilla had expressed concern to Aperkeh about some habits he is adopting, especially the late nights and the drinking. She tells me that one Saturday morning, she was there when Stella complained about his drinking and some girls who had come to the house to look for him, and he assaulted her.
I called him and complained, but all he could say was that I don’t know what caused him to react that way, so I could not judge him. Now he does not answer my calls.
I have sent Priscilla to his house to call him, but he has refused to come. Unfortunately, Ben, my son is a much different person than the young boy who completed university and started work at the bank. I am really embarrassed about his treatment of Stella”.
“Joshua, let me assure you that even though what is happening is very unfortunate, it will not affect our relationship.
We have been friends since childhood, and I thought that with their parents’ blessing, the relationship between Aperkeh and Stella would grow to become a blessing to all of us. But there appears to be a real challenge now.
Stella thinks that Aperkeh wants her out of his house, and indeed Aperkeh himself told me that, about an hour ago.
So I’m taking my daughter home. I suggest that you do what you can to straighten him out, but if it does not work out, let’s accept the situation and continue to be one family.
I am sure that being the well behaved girl that she is, Stella will meet a young man who will cherish her. Fortunately, this problem is happening early in the day, so they can sort things out if possible, or move on with their lives if they are unable to stay together”.
“I’m really grateful for that, Ben. I will do my best in the next few days to reason with him, because apart from the relationship with Stella, Aperkeh is risking his job and career with this lifestyle.
A good job and salary offers an opportunity to gather momentum in life, not to destroy yourself”.
“Okay Brother Joshua. We will say goodnight. I hope to hear positive news from you”.
As he descended in the lift from the fourth to the ground floor, Aperkeh wondered who would be waiting at the reception to see him at nine on Monday morning. He had spent good time with both of his new girls during the weekend, so it had to be someone else. He got out of the lift and pulled a face when he saw Priscilla.
“Priscilla”, he said as he sat down by her, “what do you want here? You know Monday morning is a busy time at the bank. I am a very busy person, so say what you want, I have work to do”.
“You are very funny, Aperkeh. You are telling me, your sister, that you have work to do, so I should hurry up? Okay, Dad says I should advise you to come home tonight, because he wants to discuss the issue of Stella with you. He sent me to you twice, and you did not come.
He has tried to call you quite a number of times, but you have refused to answer his calls. He says that if you do not come tonight, you will be very surprised at what he will do. He says you will not like it at all, so better come.
“What is all this? Why won’t you people leave me alone? Stella is very disrespectful. I told her that if she wanted to continue to live in my house, she must obey me. It is that simple.
She chose to continue ordering me about, controlling me in my own house, so I told her that if she could not live under my conditions she should leave. And she left. In fact, her own father came and took her away. So what again?’’
“How did she disobey or control you? Was she complaining about your continuous drinking and late nights? And did you slap her on several occasions because of that? Did you tell her that if she could not live under your conditions she should leave? You actually said that to her father? You have forgotten that before she came to live with you, our two parents met and agreed, and gave it their blessing?’
“Why don’t you leave, Priscilla? I don’t have to listen to all that”. “Okay, I will go. Your father who gave birth to you and educated you to university level sends me to you, and you ask me to leave? I wish you would defy him, and refuse to come home as he’s telling you, because he is planning to give you the discipline you badly need. Let me tell you. Stella is such a beautiful and decent girl, and I assure you that someone will grab her before you say Jack. You are only 30 years old, and you have already become a drunkard”.
As he walked towards the lift, Aperkeh decided on what to do. He would go home, and calmly listen to what his father had to say. The old man was very unpredictable, and he wouldn’t dare ignore him. So he would take all the insults and threats, but as for Stella she was history. According to Priscilla, Stella was beautiful and all that, but she had not seen the two curvaceous princesses who were all over him, ready to do anything he asked. And these were not barely literate waakye girls, but university graduates from wealthy homes, really classy girls. With stuff like that, who needs a waakye girl? He smiled as he took his seat.
A few minutes to five, Aperkeh was packing up to leave for home to meet his dad when his phone rang. It was Priscilla.
“Aperkeh, Dad says you don’t need to bother to come. Stella’s dad says she came to him early this morning to plead that she would rather stay at home than return to your house. She thinks you are already decided to be rid of her, and she does not want to risk being assaulted again. So it’s done. You can go ahead and enjoy the nice life you have started”.
Before he could tell her to go to hell, Priscilla hanged up the line. He was partially stung that his dad had virtually cut him off. The last thing anyone would want was to fall out of relationship with his own family, which had always supported him.
But the truth was he was no longer interested in Stella. What was wrong with going by one’s feelings? He could only hope that one day, his parents and sister would try to reason with him.
By Ekow de Heer
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