The Tema Police Command has dismissed claims by the #FixTheCountry convener, Oliver Barker-Vormawor that he was prevented from making a food donation to suspects in Police custody at Ashiaman.

According to the police, the activist “was informed through his lawyers that the intended donation was against Police Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) on the feeding of persons in Police custody and he should, therefore, refrain from such action.”

On Sunday, the #FixTheCountry Movement were at the station to donate food items and toiletries but according to Mr Barker-Vormawor, he was denied access by the Police, due to an ‘order from above’.

Speaking to the press, he said his colleagues had earlier published their intention to visit the inmates, and, therefore, the claim by the Police that they are not aware of his coming, is false.

“A lot of them don’t have families to visit them, so we have come together to make a donation of some food items and toiletries which from my experience a lot of inmates lack."

But the Police have a different account.

In a statement on Sunday, the Police noted that despite the caution from his legal representatives, Mr Barker-Vormawor “showed up at the Police station in the company of some other individuals and a musical band with the obvious intention still of making the donation and creating unnecessary drama.”

In view of this, the Police said they “had no choice” but to refuse him entry into the station.

“The claims by Mr Vormawor that he donated the food at the station but was later called to come back for them as a result of an order from above is false and should be disregarded.

“We wish to state that feeding of persons in Police custody is the responsibility of the government and it is a responsibility that is discharged according to law and laid down procedures.

"However, due to our cultural sensitivities and arrangements, families of suspects are usually allowed to provide food to them from time to time,” parts of the statement read.