General News of Wednesday, 14 January 2015
Source: The Finder
Eleven Ghanaian officers lost their lives in the line of duty across the country last year.
Two of the deceased were shot by armed robbers at Gambaga in the Northern Region while on special duty, and three were knocked and killed by commercial vehicles.
The rest were killed in motor accidents at their various places of work.
They were given full military burial per the statutes of the Ghana Police Administration to honour their memories.
The deceased were Constable (CONST) George Nyiko, Constable Jegri Tabalim, Inspector Joshua Codjoe Nutsakpuui, General/Constable Evans Amoako, General Lance Corporal Mark Kofi Azure, and PW/Inspector Theodora Yirenkyi.
The rest were Inspector Martin Silas Addae, Constable Theophilus Sackey, Corporal Osei Tutu, General/Constable William Tenkorang, and General/Constable Edem Sefogah.
Superintendent of Police Cephas Arthur, who disclosed this to The Finder in an interview, stated that benefits accrued to the deceased have been paid to their next of kin.
He said that the benefits include a Workman’s Compensation that is paid to the deceased’s next of kin, which is a one-off lump sum. Workman’s compensation goes to those who get injured too.
According to the Police Administration, every personnel, who loses his life in line of duty, is paid a gratuity by the administration as well as pension contributions by their pension scheme. In addition, a part of the funeral cost is borne by the Police Administration.
George Nyiko and Jegri Tabalim (Constable) both died in the Northern Region on June 12 while on duty at Gambaga and were attacked by unidentified gunmen who shot them to death.
Inspector Nutsakpuui also died in the Northern Region on March 12 in a motor accident while leading a highway patrol team; however, the other escaped unhurt.
General/Constable Evans Amoako was knocked down by a vehicle while performing Traffic Management duties at Sekondi in the Western Region on January 12.
General/Constable CPL Azure was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver on the Accra-Aburi-Koforidua Road while on snap check duties on November 15 in the Eastern Region.
Theodora Yirenkyi (PW/INSPR) also died in the Eastern Region on August 31 in a motor accident while returning from Kumasi on official duties.
Inspector Addae died on August 2 while returning to his post from a colleague’s funeral as a representative.
Const. Sackey died in Tema on July 14 in an accident while attending to a duty call at Doryumu, near Dodowa, with other colleagues who survived. Osei Tutu (CPL), a dispatch rider, died in an accident whilst leading the convoy of the Mauritius Prime Minister when he visited the Northern Region.
William Tenkorang was knocked down by a commercial vehicle in Tema on his motorbike while en route Dodowa for duty. General/Constable Edem Sefogah died in the Volta Region on February 13 while on Local Knowledge Tour.
13 cops killed in 2013
In 2013, 13 police officers died in line of duty in Ghana. The affected officers died in several circumstances, including during exchange of fire with armed robbers, motor accidents and stabbing.
The ranks of the officers range from Constable to Chief Inspector.
Six officers died in motor accidents: two died on their way to effect arrest; one died during escort duties; another died during traffic control duties; and two others in unspecified motor accidents.
One officer died at his duty post; two were stabbed to death; two killed by police fire during an encounter with armed robbers; and one was run over by an articulated truck during barrier duties.