In the shadows of their uniforms, where the gleaming badges and the weight of guns cannot reach, a silent war rages on.
The men and women who stand guard, ever vigilant and strong, are struggling to find the strength to carry on.
It is a battle of concern for the entire police hierarchy and the law enforcement administration.
As the war continues to claim the lives of those sworn to protect, jubilant indigenes of Osu are in ecstasy on the Ring Road, just opposite the police headquarters.
It is the annual Homowo Festival; this year’s ‘Duku Walk’ is massive, and the words on the lips of celebrants in the Ga language are’ŋoowala ŋoowala, alonte din ko aka fo wɔteŋ’, literally translated into English as ‘long life, long life. May no black cat (death) come between us.’
However, not everyone can happily repeat the well wishes because the ‘black cat’ pounced barely a month ago.
The police have suffered another suicide involving a policewoman.
A bereaved family has been robbed of their daughter.
Suicide among police officers has become a haunting reality, a cruel paradox that threatens to undermine citizens’ safety.
The unsung heroes, who thrive in the darkest and most dangerous corners of the country, are succumbing to the darkness within.
As the Ghana Police Service grapples with this unseen enemy, the Psychological Counselling Unit stands as a beacon of hope.
We hail police officers for fighting crime, but some are fighting quietly for their own lives.
This article by The Ghana Report lists some fallen comrades to highlight the issue eating the Ghana Police Service from within.
- Police officer allegedly commits suicide over heartbreak
Corporal Boakye, her name etched in sorrow, allegedly committed suicide due to a broken heart.
The female police officer, believed to be in her 30s, allegedly committed suicide at Mamponteng, a suburb in the Ashanti region.
Information gathered suggested that the cop discovered that her husband had impregnated another woman.
This was shortly after the man had been transferred to Bimbilla in the Northern Region.
After discovering the information, a misunderstanding ensued between the couple, leading to her committing suicide.
- Police officer commits suicide after being dumped by her boyfriend
On April 24, 2017, a female police officer in the Garu Tempane district of the Upper East region committed suicide after her lover dumped her.
Constable Peace Agbemafo, 31, shot herself in the throat with an AK-47 assault rifle.
- Police officer shoots himself at his residence
A 50-year-old cop stationed at the Ashiaman Court Unit shot himself at Borteyman, near Ashaiman, in the Greater Accra Region on St. Valentine’s Day ( Sunday, February 14, 2021).
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Divine Asiam was with the Legal and Prosecutions Unit of the Ghana Police Service until he allegedly shot himself in his room.
- Police constable shoots himself in washroom
Constable Yelnona Eugene of the National Protection Unit, shot himself in Accra on Monday, February 1, 2020.
An AK 47 assault rifle was found together with the body in a washroom of the Ridge residence where he was on guard duty.
The Ghana Police Service confirmed the death in a press statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs, Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman.
The release said Constable Yelnona “was found dead at his duty point with a gunshot wound”.
- Police Superintendent shoots himself at Half-Asini
Superintendent Cyprian Zenge, a seasoned veteran, followed suit. His suicide note, a haunting whisper, read:
“I’m fed up in this world”.
The District Commander of Half-Asini, Superintendent Zenge, committed suicide on Saturday, January 30.
Mr. Zenge is reported to have shot himself in the head at about 7 am.
That was the second time a police officer had committed suicide at Half Asini in less than two years.
He is believed to have snapped his own life with a pistol at his home.
Western Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Olivia Adiku, confirmed the death.
The deceased was found “sitting in a blue chair with a gunshot wound on his forehead”.
The pistol was found beside the body, and one spent bullet shell was under the seat.
- Police Sergeant shoots himself at Half-Assini
Sergeant Fuseini Mohammed, a Marine Police officer, also surrendered to the darkness. His rifle, meant to safeguard the Osagyefo Power Barge, became his executioner.
In March 2019, Sergeant Fuseini and one other officer guarding the Osagyefo Power Barge committed suicide.
Reports indicated that he wilfully sent his supporting guard to buy him a razor blade just to allow him space and freedom to commit suicide.
Sgt Mohammed was found lying in a supine position in a pool of blood with the AK 47 rifle he used in the suicide by his legs.
A suicide note left behind read: “I can’t take this disgrace, something I don’t know about.”
He also wrote the mobile phone numbers of his wife, one Hajia, and one Bianka on a sheet of paper.
- Police officer commits suicide at Atomic Police barracks
Lance Corporal Francis Adusei, a promising young star, fell to this darkness.
His service rifle, a tool of duty, became his undoing.
Lance Corporal Francis Adusei, shot himself with a service rifle at his residence at Atomic Police Barracks, Kwabenya, in Accra.
The incident happened on Monday, May 6, 2024, at about 8:45 a.m.
Neighbours recounted that they heard a gunshot from Block 3, Room No. 10B, where the deceased was residing.
By the time they rushed in, the police officer had shot himself with an AK47 assault rifle with the number GHGP/58NHQ/PU/AZ6303 – 205.
Blood stains were found on the bedspread and the floor.
Also found at the scene were one empty shell and one round of AK-47 ammunition in his bedroom.
READ ALSO: Badge of shame: 10 times police officers missed it
The Lance Corporal was reportedly rushed to the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission Hospital (GAEC) for medical attention, where he was stabilised.
He was transferred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital emergency ward and was responding to treatment but later passed on.