Abuse Of Privilege Vis-a-Vis The Role Of Leadership


If we all agree with Dr. Martin Luther King that “the time is always right to do what is right", then it has clearly become imperative to call the attention of the Ghana Police Administration to the recklessness and irresponsibility on the country’s roads. It has become common sight these days to see police personnel behaving recklessly and without consideration on our roads and streets, and clearly, this is an abuse of privilege. Some of our police personnel who have been trained to drive service vehicles use the roads and streets as if they were above the law. This issue is a bother to most road users and contradicts recent media commendation of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Alhassan, for his exemplary and exceptional conduct. It was noted that as the IGP moved from his residence to his office at the Police Headquarters daily on the traffic-prone Madina-Legon-Airport road, he does not use the siren to have a right of way to enable him move unimpeded, but rather goes through the traffic and stops at intersections like all other road users. Indeed, this show of humility and respect for the rights of others were extolled by otherwise critical media and members of the public. An ‘ayekoo’ therefore goes to the IGP so that the police administration is encouraged to ensure that such traits of exemplary conduct permeate the entire hierarchy of the Ghana Police Service. This is to ensure that the public will at no given time be held to ransom by security personnel, personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, Immigration Service, Prison Service and private security agencies. Ministers, deputy Ministers and some Mayors and District Chief Executives also fall foul to this indiscipline. Such acts of traffic indiscipline are more rampant within Accra, Spintex Road, on the Accra-Kasoa-Winneba highway and in all regional capitals. By the infractions of the security personnel other reckless motorists also take advantage and join the fray. It is sad to state that in situations where some drivers and pedestrians have been bold enough to question such irresponsible conduct, some of them have been subjected to brutality by the shameless security personnel, thus compelling the public to look on helplessly?

The level of recklessness and abuse of public trust is such that the legitimate use of sirens and motorcades and the mandatory obligation to give way to such recognized vehicles have been abused and made the public insensitive to what is right and just.“ A stitch in time saves nine,” whereas “a word to the wise is enough.” Let the humble IGP, Mohammed Alhassan impact his lifestyle on the Ghana Police Service and make meaning to the words of Peter F. Drucker who submits that, “Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked, leadership is defined by results not attributes”. The Police Administration must ensure that all recklessness on the roads and misuse of sirens are controlled.

BY: DAN OSMAN MWIN, A PUBLIC RELATIONS PRACTITIONER OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Need For Ghanaians To Support The 2021 Budget

  The 2021 budget focused on the need to complete all previously initiated projects, consolidate the economy and continue with new programmes for the benefit of the people. The previous practice where some of the uncompleted projects were delayed for various reasons is unacceptable and must be abandoned for the progress of the country. This is good and ought to be realized because abandoned or neglected projects constitute a drain on the resources of the country. Development programmes must be well thought through before their implementation. Their implementation must also be well planned so that they will not constitute a waste of resources in the country. If this is done at all times, the entire country will benefit from a sound and maximum use of its limited resources for Ghanaians. This must therefore guide all governments, present and future for the rapid socio-economic development of the country. It is clear that government needs more revenue to be able to finance its development
Read more

One Year Of Coronavirus In Ghana

  Exactly a year ago, Ghana announced the first two recorded Coronavirus cases in the country. This was after few months that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared the disease a public health emergency of international concern. It became the highest level of alarm under international law. The WHO published an interactive timeline showcasing how the organization has taken action on information, science, leadership, advice, response and resourcing. A year on, Ghana’s Covid-19 death toll has reached 656, with active case standing at 4,782 with 272 new cases recorded, leading to 86,737 total confirmed cases. Experts are of the opinion that the figures might have been terrible but for the pragmatic and prudent measures put in by the Government, which was hailed across the globe. Ghana is said to have been one of the world’s best countries to have managed the spread of COVID-19 very well. Indeed, the country’s leadership with respect to the control of the pandemic has been superb.
Read more

Showing compassion to the less privileged

  Poverty, it is said, is a serious disease which when it afflicts you, will not kill you easily but rather disorganises your plans and ways of living and renders you impotent. Nobody is born poor on this earth but rather, certain unforeseen circumstances give way to poverty. A touchy and heart-rendering story of an 18-year old orphan who is desirous of becoming a doctor in the future but currently facing financial challenges to support his education to realise his ambition is for some time now trending on social media. Edward Elorm Gbanaglo is said to have completed his secondary education at the Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School (PRESEC) in Accra with seven A’s and two B’s and has gained admission into the University of Health and Allied Sciences at Ho in the Volta Region. He managed to pay his admission fees with the help of his late mother’s friends. However, Elorm, who defied all odds to make excellent grades, fears he might not be able to complete the program because he does
Read more