ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police (ACP) Angwubutoge Awuni’s transfer to the Northern Region in early 2009 revived the police service in the region and instilled more professionalism and sense of duty among the personnel.
It was an era of proactive policing that transformed the face of law enforcement in the region and raised the sinking image of the service.
Today, ACP Angwubutoge Awuni’s romance with the Northern Region has come to an end after a 16-month successful tenure as the Northern Regional Police Commander.
Recently, the Ghana Police Service announced some changes in the police administration, one of which was the transfer of ACP Awuni from the Northern Region to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Accra.
This shocking news could not just pass without comments, in view of the fact that Awuni’s style of policing had contributed significantly to the stability enjoyed in the region, and therefore, many people had hoped that this fine sheriff would be made to remain a little longer.
All in all, he is gone and one cannot continue to lament over spilt milk. However, Mr Awuni has left his footsteps in the fine sands of the Savannah and therefore, one cannot resist the temptation of telling his story.
This was a police officer who exhibited a no-nonsense attitude towards crime, a situation which ensured that law and order were enforced at all times. He was the type who would insist that the right things are done irrespective of pressures from all quarters.
ACP Awuni also portrayed a high sense of objectivity in performing his duties and that endeared him to many people, particularly people in the opposition political parties, who had the belief that on no account would crime be allowed to go unpunished for political reasons.
This attitude of Mr Awuni therefore, instilled in the public some confidence in the police service, which contributed partly to the peace enjoyed in the region during his tenure.
The conduct of the police at the Chereponi by-election was one of the landmarks of Awuni’s administration that can never be erased. Under the direction of ACP Awuni, the police mounted a search on all persons who attempted to move into the constituency prior to and during the election. Even the political leaders were not spared.
The objective of that action was to ensure that no person or group smuggled weapons into the area to disturb the peace.
Again, the arrest of the notorious armed robber Joseph Kombien, alias Bogger, who had broken jail on a number of occasions, at Nakpanduri is another achievement of Awuni’s administration.
On assumption of office, ACP Awuni visited the Nakpanduri area and ordered the police to devise all means possible to bring Bogger to his knees.
On hearing that, Bogger escaped to the Upper East Region but that could not save him, as he was hunted and brought to book through the support of the police in that region.
It must be noted, however, that after his arrest, Bogger managed to escape once more from the Tamale Central Prison where he had been remanded. To date, he is still at large.
To manage a culturally sensitive and diverse area such as the Northern Region, one needed to master the skills of fostering good relationship with all groups and win their support. ACP Awuni never failed to do that and did it perfectly.
He made sure he visited the chiefs who mattered most and craved their indulgence to support his mission. Little wonder on countless occasions, some of the chiefs refused to intervene to free some persons who had been arrested for committing various crimes.
Indeed, ACP Awuni could not have chalked up those successes without dedicated staff. One of his notable traits was his ability to inspire his personnel to move in the same direction with him.
ACP Awuni visited his personnel at the various districts periodically, interacted with them to understand their problems and work with the appropriate authorities to resolve such challenges.
ACP Awuni’s exemplary leadership might have also contributed to the positive influence he had on his personnel. He detested corruption, mediocrity and negligence.
On ACP Awuni’s romance with the media, one can write volumes till there is no more space. Being a member of the inky fraternity, ACP Awuni had such a symbiotic relationship with the media that anytime he called on them, they were quick to respond. His house and office were both open to the media at all times.
For now, all one can say to Mr Awuni is ‘Ni a tuma pam’, which means well done in the Dagomba dialect, and may he excel in his new endeavour.
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