POLICE WARNS PUBLIC AGAINST CELEBRATIONS

08/02/2008
Story: Mary Mensah
The Police Administration has reiterated its call on all Ghanaians, especially soccer fans, to celebrate victories of the Black Stars without causing death, damage or obstructing public peace.
It expressed grave concern about the manner of jubilation by football fans following the Ghana-Nigeria match last Sunday where people blocked highways, stripped naked, burnt lorry tyres in the middle of the roads and drove carelessly with people hanging on vehicles, among others.
The acting Director of the Police Public Affairs Directorate, DSP Kwesi Ofori, who made the appeal in Accra yesterday, said a number of lives were lost, many people were injured while property worth thousands of cedis were destroyed throughout the country during the celebrations.
He said these were acts of lawlessness and warned that the police would deal drastically with anybody who would obstruct the peace anytime Ghana won a match.
He further called on drivers to comport themselves during celebrations and respect other road users.
DSP Ofori also warned those who used fireworks at the stadium to desist from doing so because anybody found engaging in such acts would be severely dealt with.
He said the police would intensify its search at all entrances of the Accra and Tema stadiums to ensure that no illegal material was smuggled in.
The acting director also warned criminals who created chaotic situations in order to steal that the police and other security personnel had been positioned at all vantage points and they were on high alert to arrest any criminals at the stadiums.
He said the celebration was national in character and the police would leave no stone unturned to ensure that law and order was maintained.
In a related development, the Accra Regional Police Command has expressed serious concern about the blatant lawlessness exhibited in some parts of the metropolis following Ghana’s victory.
A release issued in Accra yesterday and signed by the Regional Commander, DCOP Opare-Addo, described the acts and behaviours exhibited as criminal.
It said reports had it that in areas such as Osu, Madina, Kaneshie and the High street, traffic was held up for several hours and some criminals took advantage of the situation and went on the rampage, causing damage to property.
The release indicated that in as much as the police did not discourage anybody from celebrating they would not compromise on their professional obligations in the face of breaches of the law during victory celebrations.