Decisions being taken to deal with ‘phenomenon of kidnappings’ – Akufo-Addo assures

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President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has promised to get tough on what he describes as the “phenomenon of kidnappings” in the country.

The three missing Takoradi girls and the recent kidnapping of some expatriates have heightened public fear.

However, speaking to members of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) at the Jubilee House on Monday, the President said he is determined to deal with the recent kidnapping scare.

“We are all concerned about this phenomenon of kidnappings which we have not known. Our brothers and sisters in Nigeria have known it. But we have not known it in this country and we need to do something about it to make sure that it doesn’t become a feature of our society.

“I am very, very determined on the issue and decisions are being taken as we seek what will be a clear manifestation of the determination I have to deal with this matter,” he said.

He also condemned the leakage of contents of the Emile Short Commission report that investigated the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary by election violence.

The report was presented to the President in March but the government has yet to issue a white paper on the recommendations.

Unverified portions of the report have since been leaked to the media.

President Akufo Addo told the GACC members that the full text of the report will soon be made public.

Kidnappings

There are fears among a section of the Ghanaian public that kidnapping cases are on the ascendency.

Last week, 30-year-old Indian businessman was abducted by gunmen in Kumasi, the Ashanti Region capital. 

Umpakan Chodri was eventually rescued after kidnappers released him.

Before Umpakan’s abduction, police had foiled a kidnap-for-ransom incident involving a diplomat.

Sixty-one-year-old Nabil Makram Basbous, the Consular-General and Head of Mission of Estonia to Ghana was also kidnapped during his regular morning walk in his neighbourhood in Accra.

Photo: Kidnapping statistics for 2018 (Source: Ghana Police Service)

Basbous was abducted by three gunmen suspected to be Nigerians.

The ambassador was held hostage in an unknown location until he was rescued by the Police.

Police are currently under pressure to rescue some three girls who were kidnapped in Takoradi, the Western Region.

Meanwhile, three girls remain missing after they were reported kidnapped in Takoradi, the Western Region capital.

Ruth Quayson, Priscilla Blessing Bentum and Priscilla Koranchie were reported kidnapped between August 2018 and January 2019.

The main suspect in the kidnapping case, Sam Udoetuk Wills, has been jailed 18 months for breaking cells.

Source: Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | GN