On Thursday night the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Daniel Syme knocked down two people whilst driving, then promptly fled the scene without stopping to enquire as to the condition of the two victims.
The two, one Robert Abuley and a woman were riding a motorbike when the accident occurred. Robert Abuley, 37, subsequently died upon admission to the Intensive Care Unit of the Bolgatanga Hospital.
Interestingly, the minister claimed he thought he had hit donkeys, an assertion which infuriated the family of the deceased. More worrying, the Minister is still walking around two days after the incident, with the Police taking no action, not even inviting him in to give his statement.
Now I am no expert in law, but a human being has died and at the very least the police must conduct an investigation to ascertain the facts of the matter as they are. And knocking people down and fleeing the scene must surely be breaking the law.
Anyhow, this whole incident illustrates the disturbing mindset of some individuals in advanced positions in society, who feel that their position gives them a free pass towards the law.
Other than that why would this minister claim he felt he had hit donkeys, and expect people to just buy that story? He probably feels the family are lesser human beings who are probably worrying him over an unfortunate incident.
However as many people have mentioned, including the family of the victim, do donkeys ride motorcycles?
I see no reason why the ‘Honorable’ My Syne should be walking around a free man after a man died in an incident involving him at the wheel of a car. If this was an ‘ordinary’ Ghanaian, he’d be facing the full rigours of the law, probably detained in lockup and facing some very livid police officers.
However, a Deputy Minister is ‘above the law’ so nothing can be done with him.
Witnesses to the incident, including one Stanley Abopan, brother to the victim, claimed the minister was drunk at the time of the incident. Obviously, this is a very serious allegation that merits a thorough investigation.
The Police however, as with many Ghanaian institutions, feel some people are out of their reach. It is another of the many issues plaguing us in Ghana, were the powerful are given a certain reverence by the people who should stand up and protect the rights of everyone.
Even if the Police arrest Mr Syme today, that’s too long after the incident to serve as any kind of face saving action.
The law is the law, and should be applied equally to everyone. This whole situation paints an unfortunate picture and represents one of the many wrongs present in our society.
Ghana, a country where laws are ineffective. I bet he’ll be let of the hook by his good for nothing corrupt ndc cronies. We’re lost as a people simply because we have entrusted our future and destiny in the hands of tyrants.
Mr. Honorable, Ghana is a land of ahwahwasem, so now that u know he is not a donkey, why not carry out ur responsibility instead of playing imprudent? Had it been ur son….??? Sir, do the ryt thing.
The Minister has brought his office and the government of Ghana into disrepute. The incident clearly demonstrates that the law in Ghana does not work and the IGP in Ghana is of no importance to Ghana. He is not worth the money that he is being paid and clearly the person who appointed his was blind. The president and all the government officials in Ghana refer to the citizens of Ghana as ‘good people’ so what happened to the man who was killed by the minister? was he not a good person of Ghana who deserve justice? The minister should be sack from government because he is not fit to serve the people of Ghana and the IGP should order his arrest immediately without delay. Ghanaians should not sit down and let this happen to a good person of Ghana because if we do nothing about it, then we are setting a precedent and creating monsters to treat us like donkeys. Even donkeys have owners and should any driver knock down a donkey, the owner has a right to know and be informed.