By Gifty Amofa
Accra, Oct.15, GNA – Mr. Kwaku Boakye Boateng, Senior State Attorney representing the Attorney General (AG), has question whether the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) was wrong in granting amnesty for the promotion of junior officers in 2021.
“I am putting it to you that it was wrong for the then IGP-Mr James Oppong-Boanuh to issue the Amnesty to promote Junior police officers,” he said during the cross-examination of Chief Inspector Okpata at a Human Rights Cout in Accra.
Okpata, the first plaintiff, stated that although that amnesty had been a practice since the inception of the Police Service, the problem arose from the exemption of Chief Inspectors from promotions while their junior officers received significant advancements.
He pointed out that junior officers were given “step one” promotions with three incremental jumps, while Chief Inspectors, who have served for 25 to 30 years or more, received no such benefits.
“We the Chief Inspectors who have worked for 25 years to 30 years and above, some of the incremental points were given to those who were at “point one” and those at their maximum (point four) were only congratulated.
“My Lord, the precedent is that if you are a Chief Inspector and your degree is recognised, you have direct entry to the Police Academy. We were expecting that we would also be promoted one step to the Police College, now Academy,” Okpata said.
Okpata and several other graduate Chief Inspectors filed a suit against the IGP and Attorney General over their exclusion from a special promotion exercise for junior officers in 2021.
They argued that the amnesty, which promoted certain junior officers, violated Constitutional Instrument (CI) 76 and the Police Service Regulations of 2012, as they were also not elevated during the process.
Mr. Boateng asked Okpata, “Are you aware that the CI 76 has established assessment committees at national and regional levels to make appropriate recommendations for the consideration of the Police Appointment and Promotion Board and Police Council?”
Okpata responded, “I am aware but our case is such that a signal was brought from the IGP and AG in respect of any personnel who have acquired a degree certificate whether granted study leave or not, should summit for a special exercise after which a signal came that we have been granted Amnesty across board but the Chief Inspectors were exempted.”
When asked if he knew that one of the procedures for entering the Academy was through a promotional examination, Okpata confirmed that it was correct.
Mr. Boateng then inquired whether the plaintiffs participated in the February 2024 promotional examination.
Okpata confirmed their participation, explaining that although a Chief Inspector with a degree had automatic direct entry to the Academy, it was considered a call to duty, and refusal to attend could result in being charged for absence from duty.
The plaintiffs are requesting the court to order the defendants to consider them for the special amnesty promotion that would grant them entry to the Police Academy.
The Human Rights Court, presided over by Justice Frederick Tetteh, has adjourned the case to October 29, 2024.
GNA