The Ministry of the Interior has taken note of the incident involving the assault of an arrested person while in police custody.
- The Ministry is particularly concerned that the incident followed statements attributed to persons on both sides of a religious dispute, including calls for violence against persons considered to have offended religious sensibilities.
- The Ministry unequivocally condemns all such statements, as there is no justification for inciting violence against Christians, Muslims, or any other person on the basis of religion.
- Equally, no allegation of breach of law, however serious, gives any person the right to assault a suspect in police custody. An arrested person is in custody of the State and is entitled to the protection of the law.
- The circumstances under which civilians gained access to the person in custody are therefore a matter of serious concern.
Accordingly, the Minister for the Interior has directed the Inspector-General of Police to:
- Investigate the circumstances under which civilians gained access to the arrested person and identify any police personnel who may have facilitated, permitted or acquiesced in the breach of custody and take appropriate disciplinary action against any officer found culpable;
- Take immediate steps to identify, arrest and investigate the civilian persons involved in the assault, in accordance with the law; and
- Investigate the conduct of all supervising officers directly responsible for the custody and supervision of the persons involved and, where found culpable, take appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures.
- The Minister further directs the police to deal with the persons arrested in connection with the preceding incidents strictly in accordance with the law and without fear or favour.
- The Ministry’s position is clear: religious incitement, religious violence and the unlawful assault of persons in custody have no place in Ghana. No religious belief, personal grievance or other consideration places anyone above the law.
- The Ministry remains committed to maintaining public order, protecting the rights of persons in custody and promoting the peaceful coexistence of citizens of all faiths and backgrounds.
END
Issued By:
Public Affairs and Communications Unit
