British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson finally speaks to IGP’s statement

The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Ms Harriet Thompson has finally reacted to the statement released by the Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service, IGP, Dr George Akufo Dampare’s advising her to keep within the limit of what concerns her following a tweet she made about the arrest of Oliver Barker Vormawor.

Ms Thompson had twitted “Oliver Barker Vormawor, convener of #FixTheCountry movement, arrested again, I understand for a motoring offence on his way to court. I’ll be interested to see where this goes…”.

Oliver Barker Vormawor, convener of #FixTheCountry movement, arrested again, I understand for a motoring offence on his way to court. I’ll be interested to see where this goes… https://t.co/iK5hZDZUln

— Harriet Thompson (@HCThompson001) May 17, 2022

However, a statement signed the IGP,  Dr Akufo Dampare said her statement is considered a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relation 1996 which enjoins diplomats not to interfere in the internal affairs of their serving states.

He subsequently advice her to learn to keep within her limit of what concerns her.

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relation 1996

Article of 41(1) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relation 1991 states that “Without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, it is the duty of all persons(diplomats) enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State. They also have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of that State”.

Commenting on something that is of interest to many people is not interference – MS Thompson

But speaking on GHOne TV Newsnight on Tuesday, May 31, monitored by GhanaPlus.com Ms Thompson said her tweet was no mean an interference of the country’s internal affairs.

According to her, commenting on something that is of important to a lot of people cannot be said to be interference.

“I believe comment on something that is of great interest to a lot of people in the country is not interfering in the affairs of that country. There is significance between the two”.

Ms Thompson however, explained her tweet was not received the way it was intended adding that a response from the IGP was least expected.

“It is clear from the reaction that it has not been received the way it was intended. I was not expecting a response from IGP at all . When I comment on social media, I comment about all sort of things which am interested. I prefer to show people a bit about me, to try to open up what it is to be a High Commissioner in a country like Ghana.  What is, not just to be me as a High Commissioner but also me as a person so I  tweet about the places in Ghana that I have been and found beautiful and interesting , the people that I have met with so I don’t necessary look for any response,” she said.

Ms Thompson noted the development regardless, she will continue to work with the Ghana Police Service and the many other institutions and organizations that the commission has working relationship with.

…Am looking forward to me being as they say, beyond this incident, I will continue to work with the Ghanaian Police force as well as the very many other institutions, bodies, organizations that we enjoy such good relationship with,” she stated.

Source: GhanaPlus.com