The Ghana Police administration has requested to deploy a three member team to join the United Nations, UN, in a probe against 46 police personnel over sexual abuse allegations in South Sudan.
In a news release signed by the Director of Public affairs at the Ghana Police Service, ACP David Eklu, over the allegations and subsequent investigation, the police administration has asked the UN to permit a three member team to be immediately sent to the mission area to better understand the incident.
The police has also given its full support to the UN to investigate the alleged sexual exploitation and abuse case, ensuring the peacekeeping body of its commitment towards ensuring the highest professional standards by its officers.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Saturday, recalled a unit of Ghanaian police officers from Wau and confined them to base after investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation began.
The investigations were triggered after a complaint was received on the 8th of February alleging that members of the unit were having sexual relations with women living at the UN Protection of civilians site in Wau.
An immediate decision was made to remove the 46-member police unit from their duty stations inside the POC on February 22, 2018. The unit was fully withdrawn from the Wau base to Juba over the next two days.
The UN, in a statement said information received indicates that some members of the FPU allegedly engaged in “transactional sexâ€. “This is a clear breach of the UN and UNMISS Code of Conduct which prohibits sexual relationships with vulnerable individuals, including all beneficiaries of assistance.
“UNMISS has informed UN 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 Missionâ€.
Meanwhile, ACP David Eklu has expressed disappointment at the involvement of Ghanaians in the allegation, saying that it will dent the image of the Police.
"We are deeply disappointed by the report. Even the mere fact that Ghanaian policemen who have set high standards in all our peacekeeping missions over the years have been mentioned in this very serious allegation is a cause of concern, it is a big blow to us.", he said.
Speaking in a radio interview, he further stated that if the officers are found guilty; they will be repatriated from the mission,will likely face internal disciplinary measures when they return, and will also loose the opportunity to participate in any future peace keeping mission.
Read full statement from the Ghana Police Service
