Communications Director for the Bawumia Campaign Team, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohunu of selective justice and neglecting the country’s growing security challenges.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Monday, September 15, he warned that the IGP is “moving on slippery ground” by allegedly prioritising political battles over the country’s growing security concerns.
“My concern is with the IGP, and I think that Mr. Yohunu should just realise that he is moving on slippery ground; he should take it easy; there are more pressing issues, more critical,” Mr. Aboagye said.
He argued that violent crime is on the rise nationwide, citing recent tribal clashes and armed robberies as evidence of misplaced policing priorities.
“Have you noticed that in the past three months, the level of crime in this country it is either a tribal war we used to read about tribal wars in Social Studies when we were in basic school. In fact, in our lifetimes, we didn’t really see tribal wars, but today they’re all over the place.
“You know, for some of us, we only heard about the Nkonya conflict from decades ago, but in our lifetime, such incidents were rare. Today, it’s either you hear of someone being murdered and dumped in a gutter, or you hear of armed robberies—even highway robberies are back. Just recently, there was the Nkawkaw bypass highway robbery, and three days ago, another on the Kumasi road. So there are far more pressing issues the IGP should be focusing on,” he argued.
Mr. Aboagye further cited the IGP’s own encounter in Bawku as an example of weak policing.
“The IGP went to Bawku, and his own vehicle was shot at—his own vehicle. Yet the men who attacked him were not arrested. Instead, he promised them police recruitment if they put down their arms. For an IGP to use the law and his position to settle personal discourse, I have a problem with it. But you see, we don’t learn. Public servants and politicians don’t learn,” he stated.
On the remand of NPP Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC, Mr. Aboagye challenged the basis for the detention.
“If I defame you or call you names, what is the proper recourse in law? The fact that even here on this set we are struggling to identify the real issue—apart from the fact that some people don’t like the man, the way he speaks, or perhaps his insults, which are moral concerns—shows the problem. It looks like we are trying to box him into a certain corner. So if what I’m hearing about the reasons Abronye is being held is true, then I’m sorry, Mr. IGP,” he said.
He also accused the police of bias in dealing with threats from opposition figures.
“The Abuakwa North party executive of the NDC, in clear words, said he was going to kill Nana Boakye, the National Organiser of the NPP. He also said that he was going to kill Afenyo Markin and other NPP members. He said this in Akwatia, wearing a white jalabia, and the video is there. Yet that gentleman is still walking free. A petition has been written to the IGP, and he’s done nothing,” Mr. Aboagye added.
He urged the IGP to reflect on his record as his tenure winds down.
“For me, that is the only concern I have. Mr. IGP, the time is ticking, the days are moving, and soon you will be on the other side—as a civilian. Are you going to be proud of what you are leaving behind? In the past eight years, we have seen several IGPs come and go, and I am sure when they are home, they sit back and ask themselves: Did I do it right?” I think the IGP needs to reflect and ask himself why he is selectively applying the law,” he said.
Mr. Aboagye concluded that the police must uphold fairness in enforcing the law.
“We were here when Azorka threatened Afenyo Markin on live TV. They said he had been arrested, but to date, nobody knows when, how, or where that happened. Yet, just three nights ago and even this morning, the police released statements with suspects in handcuffs. We see Abronye every day moving around in handcuffs. How come we never saw the NDC man in handcuffs? How come those in the NDC who are threatening people across the country are moving freely? That is my concern. You are selectively applying the law, and that is not law—that is discrimination.
The most important thing is that the IGP should simply defer and apply the law equitably, with equal hands,” he stressed.
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