The Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery has dismissed claims that the recent spate of kidnappings is new to Ghana.

Defending his assertion, Mr. Dery said the country has recorded some 504 kidnapping cases since 2011.

The GNA reports that the Minister was addressing Regional, Divisional and District Crime Officers at the opening of a two-day annual conference when he made the remarks.

Ambrose Dery

“I hear people trying to make kidnapping a new phenomenon. It is not new. Ghana for the past eight years had recorded 504 kidnapping cases between 2011 and 2019,” he noted.

Mr. Dery said in 2013, there were 77 reported cases, in 2014, 76 cases and in 2018, 58.  He said 2019 has so far recorded 47 cases but added that effective investigations revealed 21 of the cases in 2019 were false, leaving the tally at 26.

He then commended the police CID for helping reduce kidnapping cases in the country.

What else did he say?

Speaking on the theme “Addressing the challenges of contemporary investigations for effective prosecution; the role of investigators,” Dry said the CID had to be encouraged for the strides made in its improved performance.

He urged the officers to come up with a road map for criminal investigations and their role as effective crime officers.

He admitted the onus lay was on the government to equip them with the requisite knowledge and skills as well as modern communication tools to enhance their work.

Government, he said, is determined to retool the entire Police Service to enhance their professionalism and improved service delivery.

He said the government was also determined to create a responsive, effective and accountable police service that would work to expectations of all stakeholders.

“Be reminded of your oath to protect and defend the good people of Ghana and all residents in the country, your action should not dampen the spirit of the citizens who see you as their shield against criminals,” he advised.

He urged them not to relent on their responsibilities irrespective of the challenges and be ready to tackle new trends of crimes, head-on as there would be refresher courses to help handle them.