Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a security analyst and prominent member of the NPP, has expressed strong criticism over the actions of a police officer who fired a celebratory shot in honor of the Minister-Designate for Interior, Hon. Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka’s appointment.
Dr. Boakye-Danquah described the incident as inappropriate and urged the Ghana Police Service to investigate the matter thoroughly.
He stressed that such behavior compromises the professionalism expected of the police force, particularly concerning public service and governance, as it fails to convey the “right message”.
“I have been watching this video since the video surfaced on social media. I have some questions to ask and I don’t intend to have a political opinion on this but I genuinely have some questions.
“The Police Man that shot the bullets in jubilation, has he been called by the Ghana Police Service? How do police officers/personnel account for bullets at the end of the day? Either used or unused?”
Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah
Boakye-Danquah further raised concerns about the safety of the general public, questioning whether Ghanaians are at risk from police personnel who make unilateral decisions involving the use of AK-47s in public settings.
He emphasized the need for stricter oversight and accountability within the police force to prevent such actions, which could potentially endanger public safety and erode trust in law enforcement.
The NPP stalwart expressed disappointment over the lack of communication from the Ghana Police Service regarding the incident.
He noted that a review of the Service’s social media platforms revealed no official statement acknowledging the situation or indicating that an investigation is being conducted to determine the reasons behind the officer’s actions.
Accordingly, he urged the Ghana Police Service to address the matter promptly, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability to maintain public trust in the institution.
Calls for Disciplinary Action Over Celebratory Shooting
Furthermore, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah raised concerns about whether the Ghana Police Service has established a disciplinary committee to address the actions of the police officer involved in the incident.
He emphasized the importance of instituting appropriate disciplinary measures to uphold the integrity and professionalism of the service.
Dr. Boakye-Danquah stressed that such actions are necessary to ensure accountability and to reassure the public that the police force remains committed to enforcing high standards of conduct among its personnel.
“From my observation, I can clearly see that the Minister-designate for Interior, [Hon. Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka], was shocked at the shooting and hopefully will be stunned at the indiscipline of the police officer.
“What if mistakenly this shooting had missed its chance and shot at the Minister designate? Would we have said the Police had killed his boss? My questions remain mine and mine alone”.
Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah
The security analyst urged the Minister-Designate for the Interior, Hon. Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, to take decisive action in response to the incident.
He recommended that the Minister-Designate request the immediate withdrawal of the police officer in question from his security detail.
According to him, this step would not only demonstrate a commitment to maintaining professionalism within the police force but also send a clear message that actions undermining public trust and accountability will not be tolerated.
Such a move, he argued, would reinforce the importance of discipline and integrity within the ranks of security personnel, particularly those assigned to protect public officials.
Boakye-Danquah also called on Hon. Muntaka to initiate an investigation into the incident involving the police officer discharging a firearm in his home and presence.
He emphasized the importance of uncovering the reasons behind the officer’s actions, as such behavior raises serious questions about protocol and the appropriate use of firearms.
This, he stressed, is particularly crucial given the officer’s proximity to a high-ranking public official. “[Has the Minister-Designate] asked for some discipline to be meted out to him [the police officer]?”
