AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES POLICE ABUSES AND CORRUPTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 002585

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2015
TAGS: PREF PHUM GH
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES POLICE ABUSES AND CORRUPTION
DURING INITIAL CALL ON THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR

REF: A) ACCRA 2548 B) YAOUNDE 2288

Classified By: AMBASSADOR PAMELA BRIDGEWATER FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D
)


1. SUMMARY: (C) The Ambassador raised the issue of police
beatings at Krisan Refugee Camp during her meeting with the
Minister of the Interior on December 16. The Minister
indicated a willingness to investigate our findings and
expressed indignation that UNHCR had not kept him informed.
The Minister seemed aware of the recently released
Transparency International report, placing Ghana's police as
among the world's most corrupt. He said he would emphasize
human rights issues in police training, and welcomed USG aid
to carry out further institutional reforms. The meeting
ended on a cordial note, with both parties apologizing for
the mix-up that led to Refugee Coordinators' unauthorized
visit to Krisan Camp on December 8 (ref A) and to their
subsequent one-hour detention. End Summary.

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Mending Fences
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2. (SBU) The Ambassador opened the discussion by thanking
the Government of Ghana (GOG) for all the assistance it has
offered refugees since 1990 and apologized for our
unauthorized visit to Krisan Refugee Camp one week earlier.
The Minister quickly apologized for the GOG's violation of
the Vienna Convention when it detained three U.S. diplomats
for an hour. He explained that he needed to approve all
visits to both Krisan and Budumburam Camps to ensure our
safety and security. He had already identified 47 refugees
from Krisan Camp who were implicated in criminal behavior,
and offered to send us the full list, complete with photos.
The Ambassador said that upon receipt of this information, we
would cease all contact with these refugees.

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Police Corruption - As Bad as Nigeria?
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3. (SBU) The Ambassador mentioned the recently released
Transparency International report on police corruption,
ranking Ghana along with six other nations (including Nigeria
and Cameroon) as the world's worst (ref B). The Minister did
not act surprised. In order to combat corruption, he said he
had sent publicity to all police stations, advising the
public that cash payments to the police were not allowed.
The Minister said he would change the content of the police
training program to include greater emphasis on human rights
and integrity. In fact, he was implementing a policy that
could also hold a supervisor responsible for the negligent
behavior of a subordinate officer in cases where oversight
had been inadequate. The Minister was grateful for the
previous ICITAP training to welcome more USG assistance to
carry out institutional reforms. The Minister went so far as
to request that a U.S. law enforcement officer be permanently
assigned to our Mission in Accra. Noting the upcoming
USG-sponsored police training in February, the Ambassador
asked the Minister to send us his ideas on what he would like
to emphasize during the course.

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Police Abuse, Resettlement, and UNHCR
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4. (SBU) Ref Coord mentioned his observations that the
response to the refugees' misconduct at Krisan appeared to
have been disproportionate. Although refugee accounts were
subject to dispute, there was documentation in file for 100
refugees who had been treated for injuries following the
police intervention on November 8. The Minister wondered why
UNHCR hadn't spoken to him since UNHCR is responsible for
ensuring the protection of refugees. Ref Coord advised that
Acting Representative Luc Stevens was aware of the excesses
but had chosen not to say anything to the GOG for fear of
triggering a backlash. The Minister appeared to be genuinely
concerned over these allegations, adding that he would
investigate.


5. (SBU) The Ambassador mentioned that the Sudanese still
believe they are going to be resettled next month, but UNHCR
had not taken any concrete steps to refer them to a third
country. The Minister appeared surprised and indignant,
threatening to convoke UNHCR for a meeting; the Ambassador
suggested a tripartite meeting in January involving the U.S.
Embassy since we were also unhappy with the pace of
resettlement and shared his concerns over the possibility of
violence in the future at Krisan.

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Comment
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6. (C) The meeting remained cordial throughout and the drama
over our visit to Krisan appears to have ended amicably,
perhaps even setting the stage for a closer working
relationship with the Minister. We suspect that the Minister
feigned ignorance of the police beatings since it is
difficult to believe that no one informed the Ministry of the
police's behavior. Whether due to political expediency or
sheer timidity, in this instance UNHCR simply forfeited its
mandate to ensure the protection of the Krisan refugees.
Furthermore, we are disturbed to learn that UNHCR officials
have been withholding important information from both the GOG
and from refugees hoping for resettlement. We will work
together with UNHCR and refugees to avoid misunderstandings
in the future. End Comment.

BRIDGEWATER