The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) has accused the Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery of showing little or no interest in the establishment of an independent police complaints commission (IPCC).
The IPCC when established is expected to address cases of human rights brought against the police service.
There have been a number of cases of police brutalities in the country, the latest being the killing of 7 residents in Asawase in the Ashanti region.
The CHRI formed a coalition to see to the establishment of the IPCC for which a draft legal framework has been made.
Lashing out at the Minister at a news conference Thursday in Accra, Head of the Africa Office of the CHRI Mina Mensah called on him to avail himself for his input to be made in the draft legal framework for the establishment of the IPCC.
“The Coalition received inputs from some of the stakeholders and has improved the draft with the recommendations. The Coalition however, notes with regret that it has not been able to engage the Minister of Interior in these latest initiatives despite several efforts to brief the ministry and to get their input.
“Obviously, we all know that is the parent organisation of the Ghana Police Service and so if you are doing anything they are very…very key in ensuring that happens. Unfortunately, we have tried severally and have not been able to engage the Minister,” she stated.
She continued that “while the coalition recognises that other officials of the ministry have been forthcoming and supportive, it is important that the executive and the political head of the ministry, in the person of the honourable minister be seen playing a more active role in championing this cause commenced by his predecessor.”
“It must be born in mind that as the line Minister responsible of the police…he would have to superintend the presentation of the legislative proposal to cabinet and parliament. His input therefore at this stage is very…very important.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
