The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has intervened to mediate the dispute between the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, and the British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson.

The Ministry in a press release indicated that it “has noted with concern the intense public debate that has been generated by the communication between the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the British High Commissioner in Accra.”

 “In line with the general diplomatic practice of communicating with diplomatic Missions, preferably through direct engagement, the Ministry wishes to remain circumspect on its pronouncements on the matter,” portions of the release stated.

The release added that “We have therefore initiated contact with both the British High Commissioner and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to resolve the issue at stake.”

The Ministry assured of “its commitment to the strong historical bonds between Ghana and the United Kingdom, which through the years, have been deepened by, among others, the exchange of high-level visits on both sides as well as increased cooperation on trade, investments and security.

“We take this opportunity to reaffirm the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two countries.”

Background

The British High Commissioner on May 17, tweeted, “Oliver Barker Vormawor, convener of #FixTheCountry Movement, arrested again, I understand for a motoring offence on his way to court. I’ll be interested to see where this goes.”

The tweet comes after officers of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service arrested Mr. Barker-Vormawor on Tuesday, May 17 and was charged with careless and inconsiderate driving and granted bail to the tune of GH¢30,000 bail with two sureties.

But the tweet irritated the police, who in turn responded with a four paged letter signed by Dr Akufo Dampare.

According to the Police, Madam Harriet Thompson’s tweet was from either a “biased or uninformed position”, adding that UK High Commissioner’s tweet violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

The Ghana Police Service asked the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, to mind her own business.

But the UK High Commissioner also in an interview on GHone TV stated that she did not expect a response from the IGP at all.

According to British High Commissioner, the reaction which accompanied her tweet depicts that “it has not been received in the way that was intended.”