locals of Dadease in the Sekyere Kumawu District of the Ashanti Region are calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take urgent steps to prevent police officers in the region from abusing locals.
On July 26, 2023, a police officer was shown in a viral video wrapping a belt around a suspect’s neck and dragging him on the floor in an attempt to arrest him.
Following widespread condemnation of the event, the police administration says the officer has been arrested and interdicted, and the IGP has guaranteed the victim’s family a thorough inquiry.
Residents in the region say that this is not a unique incident, citing complaints about police personnel in the area mistreating them, and they want the IGP to take a close look at the problem.
“The police claim that most of the guys in the area sell weed, so they are suspects,” claimed one local, Kwabena Appiah. They will arrest you and brutally abuse you. This has been going on for a long time and is very unacceptable.”
“They accept GHS500 and GHS1000.” This is a poor attitude among police personnel in this area. The police are intended to communicate with citizens and protect them, not to oppress and harass them. As a result, we are urging the government to take action.”
“I have witnessed them beating a guy with a cane to the point where he excreted,” stated another neighbour. They simply arrest individuals for no cause. They continue to do things that are unnecessary, so we want them to change.”
The victim’s family is seeking compensation because they think the treatment he received was harmful to his health.
“I travelled three days ago, so upon my return, I was informed that the police had arrested my son,” the victim’s mother, Afia Owusuaa, told Citi News. I decided to wait and bail him out the next day, but someone came in and showed me the footage of what had happened to the youngster. And I also learned that when they arrived at the station, they hung him. So I notified my uncle, who insisted on us not going to the station.”
“However, around 7 p.m. yesterday, high-ranking police officers came in to speak with us and admitted that the way the boy was handled was wrong and that the officer would be dealt with accordingly.” They also promised the IGP will call the next day, which he did.”
Ms Owusuaa stated that her son was accused of stealing iron rods and a vehicle battery, although he acknowledged removing the iron rods.
She said that the police had to recompense him with money and a job to guarantee that he did not steal anything again in the future.
