‘Stay in your lane’ – IGP replies British High Commissioner
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare, has issued a strong response to the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, for unnecessarily interfering in “the internal affairs” of the country.
According to him, the interference violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961.
The High Commissioner had raised concerns on social media over the arrest of the #FixTheCountry Movement lead convenor, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, for a traffic offence.
Barker-Vormawor was arrested and charged for “careless and inconsiderate driving” at a Madina District Court.
He was arrested on Tuesday, 17 May 2022, by officers of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service.
“Oliver Barker Vormawor, the convener of #FixTheCountry movement, arrested again, I understand for a motoring offence on his way to court. I’ll be interested to see where this goes…” the diplomat tweeted
Oliver Barker Vormawor, convener of #FixTheCountry movement, arrested again, I understand for a motoring offence on his way to court. I’ll be interested to see where this goes… https://t.co/iK5hZDZUln
— Harriet Thompson (@HCThompson001) May 17, 2022
But in a sharp response, the police insist that the diplomat crossed her boundary in violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, “which enjoins diplomatic missions not to interfere in the international affairs of their host country”.
“Is there any particular reason why of all the people arrested daily for various offences in Ghana, you are especially interested in this person’s case?”
“Is it the case that you don’t have confidence in our justice delivery, the criminal justice system, and our court processes as a whole?
“Do you know the number of Members of Parliament, chief executives, and other high-profile Ghanaians who have been arrested and prosecuted for road traffic offences and have submitted themselves to due process? If you care to know, we will be delighted to share the list with you,” the IGP stated in his strongly-worded response to Ms Thompson.
“For the moment, we would recommend a Ghanaian saying that might guide you in your diplomatic engagements. The saying goes: ‘di wo fie asem’ – it means learn to keep within the limits of what concerns you.”
Read the full response below: