[ 2017-04-05 ]

Anti-corruption campaigners divided over GHC50K donation to Police
Anti-corruption campaigners are divided over the
controversial donation by a Chinese company to the
Ghana police service.

The Police Service has come under serious
criticism from some Ghanaians after it received a
GHC50,000 from Chinese company, CAITEC. The money
is to support the construction of the Nima office
of the Police Intelligence and Professional
standards.

But while some have questioned the donation on
grounds that it would influence the Police to
soften its work at clamping down on illegal small
scale miners, others have disagreed. Programmes
Officer at the Ghana Integrity Initiative, Mary
Addah, told 3FM Wdensday that it is too early to
draw any conclusions on the matter.

She said once there is no evidence that the
company gives out their heavy duty equipment for
illegal mining, it will be unfair to conclude that
the donation was intended to induce the Police
Service in its fight against illegal mining,
especially those that involve the Chinese.

“Do we have evidence that the company has sold
excavators to illegal miners in Ghana? We are very
careful not to make general conclusions that this
could be a motivating factor …we need to be
careful in coming to that general conclusion…but
the caution is, they should not to get influenced
with the little money because that is what usually
bribes do,” she said.

However, former executive director at the Ghana
integrity initiative Vitus Azeem believes the
gesture is likely to influence the Police for
which reason the money ought to be returned. He
said the core function of the company is to supply
equipment for mining which are also used by
illegal miners and thus puts the company in a
conflict of interest situation. “There is
general perception that it could happen.

Did the Police put out a public request for
support? what is the persons interest in the work
of the Police for him or her to come and donate so
much money to the Police… if these questions are
not properly answered, you can suspect that even
though the police may not know,the aim could be to
one day influence them in the way they deal with
their people [Chinese] who are engaged in galamsey
in Ghana,” he argued He further suggested the
police returns the donation.

“…this is not the first time and my stand has
not changed.

They should give back the money,” he advised.
Meanwhile the Police Service has strongly defended
the gesture, saying it won’t compromise its
stance in the fight against illegal mining.

Source - 3news.com

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