Ghana News Online

Staff of the Ministry of Energy have been subjected to unwarranted brutality while on official duty by some persons believed to be officials of the Ghana Police Service

The incident, according to information available to Peacefmonline.com, occurred when a Toyota Civilian bus with registration number GV-11, carrying staff from the Ministry, was intercepted by officers traveling in a black pickup vehicle.

According to accounts by an eyewitness, the police officers crossed the Ministry vehicle and ordered the driver to step out without providing any explanation.

Videos available to Peacfmonline.com show that before the driver could respond, one of the officers, who was wearing a striped polo shirt, slapped the driver while he was still seated behind the steering wheel.

The officer was further seen on board the vehicle and attempting to forcibly drag the driver out with the other staff members in the vehicle.

The incident reportedly left the occupants of the bus shocked and distressed, as they claimed there was no provocation or prior confrontation that warranted such unruly behavior from the said officers.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, and there has been no official statement from the Ghana Police Service as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to demand a thorough and impartial investigation into an alleged assault on some staff of the Ministry while commuting to work in one of its official buses.

The assault, he said, was carried out by some personnel of the Ghana Police Service and not officers of National Security, contrary to reports.

“No citizen of this country should ever be subjected to such treatment, particularly at the hands of law enforcement officers who are mandated to protect lives and uphold the rule of law,” Dr Jinapor stated in a social media post shared by Richmond Rockson, the Ministry’s spokesperson.

The Minister condemned claims that the assault was justified because staff allegedly insulted officers for reckless driving, describing such reasoning as “wholly indefensible” and unacceptable under any circumstances.

He insisted that violence or abuse of power cannot be excused.

Dr Jinapor urged the Ghana Police Service to act swiftly to ensure accountability and justice for the victims.

“The Ghana Police Service must act decisively to restore public confidence in the professionalism and discipline of the Service,” he said, emphasising the need for prompt action to uphold law and order.