So based on what we know so far? Was his action, police and military reinforcement,1. Necessary?
2. Proportionate?
3. Immediately needed/Imminent?
What do you think?
To me, no security threats should be taken lightly at all. Group acts especially in such a charged atmosphere must be taken seriously with every necessary measure.
Groups like that can easily turn into vandalism, violence, degenerating into a community or national crisis that can lead to several casualties.
Criminal elements can easily join to commit crimes. Members of the group could have been under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
I also think the youth charging to the police station to “demand answers” is a form of a threat and an intimidation of the police force who could easily have been overpowered by an angry mob.
At some point, the group were armed and seen vandalizing/tearing down private properties/physical structures.
Personally I think the reinforcement to the local force was in right order. As to why the reinforcement was from the military forces, I don’t know why but it could well be that the police personnel and resources could have fallen short.
Moreover, this is not unique, Ghanaian governments have often used the military to curb situation like this or instill fear in the people. This has happened time and time again. They used the military to fight galamsey and deployed the military during the Covid19 lockdown and even student protests in the past.
In fact, many of the citizens support that action towards groups they are not a part of. They cheer the army on as they denigrate the police as INEFFECTIVE, CORRUPT and UNTRUSTWORTHY. Some even call for a return of a military government (although I don’t think they fully understand the nature of such governments and the risks associated).
In a crisis situations, containment and the safety of the community and nation trump individual rights or safety/casualties.
WHY WERE GUNS DISCHARGED?
I don’t know why but many of us can’t determine the level of threats because we were not on the scene or line of duty. Besides, I am not sure of the Ghanaian forces have taser guns.
It is the responsibility of the person who assesses the situation and has authority to determine the level of risks and resources required. Those of us sitting in the comfort of our homes can’t claim to know more when are not in possession of intelligence or in the line of fire.
In such situations when a mob with weapons, albeit crude ones such as sticks, machetes, stones etc, go on a rampage, they could still do a lot of harm and the situation could have gotten out of hand.
In any crisis situation with law enforcement, people who charge towards the officers, fail to obey commands particularly in such an atmosphere when they also have weapons, put themselves at serious risks of harm.
A police officer who a training facilitator in collaborative workshop I attended in a few years ago told us that they are trained to shoot when someone charges towards an officer with or without a weapon, especially in situation of violence.
Most police forces may apply every necessary force within their power, even if firing a weapon, when they or a community put at imminent risks and the perpetrators fail to comply.
I attended safety and mass casualty training where police officers always advised we the civilians should always obey their instructions especially when there is a crisis situation.
DROP DOWN when asked, SHOW YOUR HANDS when asked, BACK AWAY when asked!
If you want to avoid being hurt don’t you ever disobey an officer’s commands, do not make sudden moves or gestures. Just listen and COMPLY!
Follow their instructions and complain later.
Could the officers have erred? Maybe, but they could still not face any reprimand if they acted within their margin of error within a specified standard of practice and “under instructions”, “directions” or “Commands”.
Remedies? Maybe, perhaps charges, internal discipline or dismissal or even prosecutions if the officers acted outside their officially prescribed duties, and depending on the offense if at all.
Or most likely, some financial compensation for the victims. Meanwhile, you or your family died, a permanent loss. Think about it!
Also, if people are going to be engaging in activism, group violence, they better learn safety strategies to keep themselves and their followers safe. They should avoid provocative language and confrontation with authorities including the police force.
If people choose to be in a dangerous group, a riot, environment or even a demonstration, they be ware of the safety risks. They should always have a SAFETY PLAN. OR they should take responsibility for what they gotten themselves into.
Democracy doesn’t give us permission to behave anyhow, disrespect or disobey authorities.
Democracy also does not mean we can escape consequences. Democracy is NOT violence free. We have seen even the well established democracies including the USA, UK, and even UN peacekeepers have engaged in torture, human rights violations and violence.
Remember, the State still has MONOPOLY over VIOLENCE.
No individual in a State has the resources, training or the capacity to fight State forces. So be wise in your dealings to protect your own safety and life.
It is okay not agree with me. But I hope you learn something from it for your own good and safety. I am only speaking a blatant fact of life based on what I know and think so it does not matter whether you agree or not. These are realities in life. Think about lessons learned!
Democracy is neither perfect nor utopic!
Many those who died rest well, hopefully others can learn from the situation and get something positive out of it.
I hope the officers and authorities also learn something from the incident to improve relations with the community and the public. Hopefully they can also improve their training to minimize casualties through the adoption of non violent and less lethal approaches and interventions.
Everyone be safe out there. Be wise!
Better safe than sorry!
Thank you.
Akosua G
July 07 2021