The Ghana Police Service has assured all stakeholders that it will fully support investigations into the alleged sexual abuse by the Ghanaian police unit working at one of United Nation’s peacekeeping mission protection camps in South Sudan.
The U.N. peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has recalled the 46-member Ghanaian police unit while investigations are conducted into the allegations.
UNMISS said in a statement that its head, David Shearer, and other mission leaders were briefed about the initial investigation and a decision was made to withdraw the unit from the site.
“The information received indicates that some members of the FPU (Formed Police Unit) allegedly engaged in transactional sex. This is a clear breach of the U.N. and UNMISS Code of Conduct which prohibits sexual relationships with vulnerable individuals, including all beneficiaries of assistance,” it said.
It added: “UNMISS has informed U.N. headquarters in New York of the allegations, which in turn notified the Member State that the matter was being investigated by the United Nations. There is no indication that this behaviour is more widespread within the Mission.”
Speaking on this development in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of the Ghana Yensom show on Accra 100.5FM on Monday, 26 February 2018, ACP David Eklu, Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service said: “This is not part of the Ghana Police character and so we’ll support any investigations into the matter.
“The issue is still under investigations and we’ll send officers to that country to support the investigations.”
He added: “If found guilty after the investigations, the officers will be made to face the UN rules and regulations. After that the Ghana Police service will also come in with its disciplinary measures because we have a clause in our codes that says if you put the name of the Ghana Police into disrepute you’ll be punished.”
Source:Ghana/AccraFM.com
