See the 15 questions IGP Dampare threw at Ms Harriet Thompson over Barker Vormawor’s arrest comment

Ghanaians today wake up to a statement from the Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service, IGP George Akufo Dampare asking the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Ms Harriet Thompson to learn to keep within the limit of what concerns her.

The caution from the Police boss was in respond to a statement made by Ms Thompson following the arrest of the Convener for the #FixTheCountry campaign, Oliver Barker Vormawor over traffic offence some weeks ago.

Ms Thompson had twitted on May 17, “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 addressed to her, dated May 20 and sighed by the IGP said the service considers her comment a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relation 1961.

IGP Dampare threw at Ms Harriet Thompson

The statement also threw to her 15questions including her interest in Mr Oliver Barker Vormawor in particular, despite several arrest made over the same offence.

GhanaPlus.com bring you the 15questions, numbered in roman numerals, the IGP, George Akufo Dampare quizzed the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Ms Harriet Thompson.

i. Are there instances in your country where people are permitted to openly threaten the security of the state with a coup?

ii. In the instances where individuals have threatened the security of the state, does your criminal justice system celebrate such persons and urge them on to destabilize your country?

iii. As a Foreign Service Officer, even though you might not have personal experience, you doubtless have access to the records of the periods of unrest and coup in Ghana, are you really wishing on us a return to those times?.

iv. Are you able to direct us to instances in your country where citizens are permitted to insult attack and incite your Army and other security apparatuses to destabilize the country?  

v. Do people get arrested for traffic offences in your country?

vi. Is it the case that a person on his/her way to a British court cannot be pulled over for traffic offences for that matter?

vii. Are still persuaded three days after your Tweet, that you are within the bounds of the Vienna Convention which regulate the conducts of diplomats in the countries in which they serve?.

viii. Should you get involved in the domestic/internal affairs, especially, security issues of the sovereign state in which you are serving as a diplomat?

viiii. Do you know of any instances where Ghanaian diplomats in Britain have involved themselves in your internal affairs?

x. Is there any particular reason why all of the people arrested daily for various offences, you are especially interested in this person’s case?

xi. Is it the case that you don’t have confidence in our justice delivery, criminal justice system and our court processes as a whole?  

xii. Do you know the number of Members of Parliament, Chief Executive Officers and other high profile Ghanaians who have been arrested and prosecuted for road traffic offences and have submitted themselves to due processes?, If you are to know we will be delighted to share the list with you.

xiv. Have the legally and internationally accepted limit associated with freedom of speech and association been stretched  to the point where people can now say and act without regard to sanctity, security and the very survival of a country?. When it comes to such matters, are there any limits in place in your country?

xiv. Are you interested in the number of lives lost to road accidents and the number of injured persons, as well as families who have become destitute as a result of such accidents, caused by the infractions of people like the person of interest to you?

xv. Have you taken note of the innovations being introduced by the Ghana Police Service in recent times to deepen discipline, law and order, as well as protect lives and property in this country? Are you interested that we are doing our best to get it right?

Source: GhanaPlus.com