NO LEAVE FOR SECURITY PERSONNEL…” was the screaming front page headline of the Tuesday, 20th September, 2016 edition of the Ghanaian Times newspaper.
The accompanying story goes ahead to inform the general public that all security agencies have cancelled all leave requests for all officers until after Ghana has inaugurated a President in January 2017.
The policy intention is obvious, to ensure watertight security for the country in the upcoming elections.
That is very good but certainly not better than the purpose for which annual leaves have been guaranteed under the labour law of Ghana.
What is the point in having tired or sick security personnel to perform such critical national assignments? Herein lies the purpose for which workers go on annual leave from time to time.
This writer fears that we may break down and discourage our security personnel who may urgently need rest, medical attention, some personal development or attend to their families who have been neglected because of work. Indeed they need rest to have some recreation.
The security personnel in this state of fatigue pose a bigger threat to the security of the nation than can ever be created by their absence.
We do not have to look far to see how security personnel in recent times have become a major threat to the security of the nation than any other organized group. Not even political parties come close.
In recent times our newspapers are replete with embarrassing stories about infractions carried out by men and women whose primary duty it is to enforce the law.
Police officers are not just leading the list of armed robbers in this country. Actually, some police officers are operating an armed robbery school. The police in this country rob banks, take bribes, commit murder, engage in fraud, deal in drugs and their general attitude of indiscipline gives cause to consider whether a policy such as not allowing them rest for recreation is not affecting them psychologically, socially, emotionally and culturally?
Perhaps, the suggestion of not wanting security personnel to go on leave reveals more a serious problem of inadequate security personnel which is rather being addressed incompetently.
What is preventing our government from employing the many young and energetic men of this country who for lack of productive engagement have turned to street hawking, prostitution, idling, political foot soldiering, mercenary work, armed robbery and all kinds of social vices.
We only need to prioritise our needs to secure the relevant resources that can keep this country safe, not just from unpatriotic politicians or the season of elections but also from armed robbery, porous borders, to protect our natural resources, our families from armed robbers and many other security issues.
Akyena Brantuo Benjamin
(The writer is a broadcast journalist with Ahotor 92.3fm, contact him on: [email protected] )