In Accra, a workshop to develop the connection between the Ghana Police Service and the general public, including human rights problems, was organized.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation-GIZ, held a two-day meeting on the theme of "Strengthening the Police Service and Society Cooperation towards Effective Case Management and Improved Accountability" on Wednesday.
Senior police personnel, CHRAJ officials, civil society organizations, and the media were among those who attended.
Significance
The goal of the event, according to CHRAJ Commissioner Joseph Whittal, was to explore how to strengthen police accountability by sharing expertise and experience with diverse stakeholders, understanding each partner's role and duties, and creating advocacy and awareness.
"We want a Ghana Police Service that listens to the people and ensures accountability, not one that beats up on people and is aggressive," he stated.
According to him, the police department was one of the first responders to most public complaints at CHRAJ.
As a result, Mr Whittal urged the Police Professionals Standards Bureau (PPSB) to work to address such complaints amicably in order to gain public trust and dissuade individuals from reporting their actions to CHRAJ.
"How can the media and civil society organizations sing your songs, disseminate signals about what you do and how you do it in such a manner that the average person has a greater knowledge and appreciation of the service?" he asked.
The commissioner hoped that the conference would allow the various stakeholders to effectively network in order to advance the police's cause of ensuring safety and security.
Increased Public Trust in the Police
Francis Ebenezer Doku, the Commissioner in Charge of the Police Protection Directorate, said the police had undergone different transformations over the years, which he added was helping to earn residents' trust.
"I am confident in saying that, as a result of public accountability, the police force is steadily gaining public trust." As a result, we're on track," DCOP Doku added.
He emphasized the importance of the session, adding that such gatherings would help stakeholders better understand one other's roles and that police efforts would be increased.
Acceptance
Phillip Niehenke, GIZ's Manager - County Component Ghana, said Ghana accepted an offer from the German Federal Foreign Office in 2019 to participate in a program to construct and enhance police infrastructure in chosen African partner nations.
GIZ, he added, was pleased to be able to assist certain changes at the PPSB through such cooperation, which included the deployment of complaint management software and a customized training course on police accountability and the PPSB's mission.
At the conclusion of the session, the Police, CHRAJ, CSOs, and the media were supposed to sign a memorandum of agreement on effective administration, internal and external accountability, and the role of CSOs and the media as partners in ensuring police accountability.