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I was born to a retired military officer turned peasant farmer. My mother was a house wife who made extra incoming by brewing and selling a local gin we call Pito. I grew up in the village with parents who believe the most important thing in life was not to outsmart others to amass wealth but to touch lives by contributing to the betterment of the everyday lives of many others.
I worked as a police officer for 25 years from the CID HQ to Regional CID in the Upper East Region and ended up at the Police HQ where I voluntarily retired to get into active politics.
I rose through the ranks from Constable to Superintendent of Police without blemish.
Following experiences shared by my Dad and my own experiences gained over a 25 year career, I believe the Family of our men and women in uniform needs better and appropriate attention.
When I read through policies that are gender and family insensitive I wonder whether we don’t understand that the Family is the core of0 society.
We leave our spouses on many occasions to support international peace operations returning home with all kinds of psychological challenges but no one cares. We patrol in the dusty cold and sometimes rainy nights leaving behind our children many times in makeshift structures in order to ensure the safety and security of all living in decent accommodation. We are called upon when there is an unknown dead body. Our phones never stop ringing when there is fire outbreak, floods and violent crime like robbery.
Many are put on duty 12 hours a day continuously for months without even time to wash our clothes. Your right to annual leave is often trampled upon without compensation with the old and annoying excuse that the staff strength is low. Many have overstayed at their stations/post while others are frequently transferred at will. Many have turned alcoholics due to frustration. Many marriages are broken with consequential effects on the children. Many have been forgotten by the system and their children wonder whether it’s worth wearing the uniform.
Many die in active service and getting the state to pay gratuity to the bereaved family is a lesson on frustration.
I believe in certain principles and values and getting into active politics will not change that but rather reveal my true self.
The rules and regulations governing our security services particularly those that seem not to help the development of the families of officers should be reviewed going forward. Why will an application to join spouse be treated with contempt? Why will the marriage between 2 officers in uniform not be given special attention to help them bring up children in a proper manner?
Why will the officer be exposed to extreme risk without any insurance cover by the state?
Why will we continue to clothe our officers with inferior materials?
Why will people think that uniform officers should always be remote controlled to the selfish benefit of a few?
Ghana and all other African countries can do better for officers in uniform. Wearing the uniform should be a national pride and not job for the boys.
I wish all our hardworking men and women in uniform a properous New year. The future looks brighter.
Let’s continue to hold in high esteem our values and principles. Let’s continue to defend the good name of our countries .
God bless us all.
Supt Peter L Toobu(Rtd)
