Akosua Manu, an aide to former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has appealed to the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, not to allow the institution under her leadership to become a tool against women.
Ms Manu said women across Ghana had celebrated COP Donkor’s elevation to head the CID, describing it as an important achievement for women seeking greater representation in positions of authority.
She noted that even some women who sympathised with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) were proud to see a woman rise to lead one of the country’s most powerful law enforcement institutions.
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However, Ms Manu said concerns surrounding the treatment of women by state institutions had raised questions about whether COP Donkor’s leadership was living up to the expectations associated with her appointment.
In a strongly worded statement on X, she referred to reports of women allegedly being arrested under circumstances that raised questions about due process, as well as claims of intimidation and harassment.
She also mentioned the case of a woman identified as Salomey, whose reported arrest and the difficulty her family allegedly faced in establishing her whereabouts for several days had caused concern.
“Madam Lydia Yaa Donkor, this happened under your watch,” Ms Manu wrote.
Ms Manu argued that women who attain powerful positions have a responsibility to use their authority to protect others, particularly when questions arise over the treatment of vulnerable people.
She said COP Donkor’s understanding of the law should make her a strong voice for due process and accountability within the institution she leads.
“So who is the voice of reason when the women who should understand our vulnerability appear to look the other way?” she asked.
Ms Manu also questioned the significance of women breaking barriers into positions of authority if other women could subsequently become victims of actions taken by institutions under their leadership.
She further rejected the idea that questionable actions could simply be justified as instructions from political or institutional superiors.
“Leadership comes with responsibility. If an instruction is unlawful, your duty is to the law, not the person giving the instruction,” she stated.
Akosua Manu also warned that what she described as a heavy-handed approach towards critics could produce unintended consequences.
She argued that continued harassment of people based on suspicion could encourage more people to criticise the government anonymously or more aggressively.
She described this as the “cobra effect”, suggesting that attempts to suppress criticism could instead intensify resentment.
“You are looking for one “Ghana Jollof”, continue harassing women on suspicion, and you may create twenty more,” she stated.
Ms Akosua Manu therefore called on COP Donkor to exercise restraint and ensure that the CID’s activities are guided by the law and respect for individual rights.
“Madam CID Boss, there must be a line. Draw it! Let us see your humanity!” she wrote.
She said political administrations would eventually change, but the reputation of public officials could remain long after they had left office.
“Do not allow yourself or the institution you lead to become another weapon fashioned against them,” she added.
She urged the CID boss to champion what she described as sanity and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities.