The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson is surprised at a four-page response from the Ghana Police Service following her tweet on the arrest of Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a Convener of FixTheCountry Movement.
The statement which has been described as "harsh and strong-worded" asked the British High Commissioner to "keep within the limits of what concerns her"
"Ordinarily, the Ghana Police Service would not have responded to comments such as yours, obviously made from either a biased or uninformed position. However, we have learnt from previous, painful experience that it has not been helpful to ignore such misguided, unwarranted and biased comments intended to tarnish the reputation of the Ghana Police Service and that of our country" the statement signed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare indicated.
"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,” the statement added.
Speaking on Accra-based television station, GHOne, Madam Thompson said: “To me, it feels like a stretch. It feels like me saying I am interested in something is a long way from people saying we must take to the streets".
“It is clear from the reaction that it has not been received in the way that it was intended. I wasn’t expecting a response from the IGP at all...commenting on something that is of great interest to a lot of people in a country is not interfering in the affairs of that country. There are other articles of the Vienna Convention that could be relevant in this case.”
She is, however, "looking forward to move beyond this incident and continuing to work with the Ghanaian police force as well as the very many other institutions that we enjoy very good relationships with."
NDC Reacts
Meanwhile, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described as "regrettable and misguided" a letter from the Ghana Police Service to the British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson.
According to the party, the IGP "should have raised his concerns about the British High Commissioner’s tweet on Oliver Barker-Vormawor’s latest arrest with Ghana’s Foreign Minister through the Minister for the Interior for it to be addressed via the usual diplomatic channels".
"The IGP’s regrettable and misguided letter has the tendency of jeopardising the enviable cordial bilateral relations between Ghana and Britain. Ghana and the UK have shared strong friendly bilateral relations and official communications must avoid tones and language which are considerably discourteous, offensive and needlessly provocative," the statement signed by Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the General Secretary of NDC .
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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One day we will all meet in hell nd we will see how power feels . Imagine this was twitted in your country Ghanaians r just hypocrite take it elsewhere.....
The High Commissioner was reckless and she should know better. In democracy, we don't speak in support of people who are coup mongers like Oliver.
Madam you to stop talking. This is Ghana.
Madam, please don't bother. Our IGP is a master of all trades except perhaps the job he is paid to do which is keeping Ghanaians safe. He is called Dampare for a reason - Wa da. Hopefully, one day we will have an IGP who creates a professional police service that protects both the poor and rich and doesnt take bribes.
The British High Commissioner Madam Harriert is living and working in Ghana. She has more to experince and to gain about "Ghana Life"and It is based on her interest in ghanaian socio-political life style that she had shared her ideas on issues that is bothered for that country. I dont see any thing wrong in her comments. Ghanas high commissioners living and working in foreign countries make the same comments and contributions to the appointed countries. Ghanas diplomats oversees are worse that Rats, with low calibre of dedication and love working and welcoming Ghanaians at their embassy premisses. As a diplomat living and working in Ghana, she has the right based upon her experinces and interest to offer some comments positive or negative about "Ghana Life" Its terrible to read some of the reactions coming from ghanaians. Its portrays a male dominant ghanaian culture whereby the "arrogant men" supresse and show men vadalism to the Ghanaian women. " Am the Man of the House" and the women is married to obey the laws and command of the married men". Today women are been more educated and emancipated to have not a voice but also to libetrate themselves from the schackles of the aggrissiveness of men dominated culture. Madam Harriert, take courage and remember that you are living and working a male dominated culture wher Ghanaian women are to obey under the laws of the hunsbands.
Like we even expected her to speak ill on our internal matters. Like for me, we will be organizing demonstration to demand her removal from her office, back to her country to let a proper and fit woman or man to occupy the position.
You were reckless and was not expecting a response? You are a joke and not fit for your position.
We were not expecting you Madam Commissioner to run your mouth on law and order for some non entities who want to cause choas in Ghana. IGP was was even charitable to you. Do not think you are smarter than us always. Let the laws of Ghana work.