The Executive Committee of the Gomoa West District Assembly in the Central Region is demanding the immediate transfer and subsequent replacement of the current Police Commander in the district capital, Apam.

A letter sighted by Myjoyonline.com making the request, was forwarded to the Chairman of the Regional Security Council, and copied to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Ministers of Local Government, National Security and Interior, dated October 2, 2023.

Among other things, the letter signed by the District Chief Executive for Gomoa West, Bismark Baisie Nkum, described the Apam District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Samuel Kofi Odame, as “irresponsible and incompetent.”

Cataloguing incidents that have occurred between 2022 and 2023, the Assembly accused the District Police Commander of negligence and extortion.

According to the DCE, there have been several instances where the commander failed to provide security for events in some communities under his jurisdiction where it was most needed.

Excerpts of the letter:

Aside from the aforementioned instances, the District Assembly says it has also received complaints of intimidation from numerous police officers under his command who wish to remain anonymous.

“80% or more of the police workforce in Apam district are unhappy with the attitude of the district commander. We believe the situation does not support effective security administration in the district. There are numerous complaints of extortion under his watch. Some have even described the office of the District Commander as a trial court where individuals are made to pay sums of money before they’re granted bail.”

On human relations, the Assembly complained about how the District Commander failed to attend events such as the Independence Day celebration parade this year, and how he also responded nonchalantly to district security meetings by pulling out at the last hour.

“There are instances where we have had to postpone DISEC meetings due to his absence which is mostly communicated on the day we intend to meet and, in some cases, the meeting is cancelled because of his failure to attend.

According to the Assembly, some chiefs in the district have equally expressed their dissatisfaction with the conduct of the District Commander.

“Given the examples above and our mandate as captured in Section 21 (2e) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), the Executive Committee finds it expedient, to recommend to the Central Regional Police Command and any higher authority as the case may be, to immediately extract Chief Supt. Samuel Kofi Odame of Apam District Police Command, and ask for his replacement” the letter noted.

The Executive Committee of the Assembly further suggested to the police administration that Chief Superintendent Odame should not be allowed to serve in a district or division since his “porous human relations may lead to a greater disaster.

He will perform better in an administrative role” the letter concluded.