The Kidnappings in Ghana: What Made the Difference?

Following the Kidnappings of the Canadian university students and volunteers, Lauren Tilley and Bailey Chitty (ages 19 and 20) on June 04/19 in Kumasi, the media, particularly the social media has been buzzing with commentary, criticisms and allegations against the Ghana security agencies and the government. These discussions got even more intense among Ghanaians when the Canadians were located by police apparently on June 12, a week after the event occurred. Luckily they were “physically unharmed”.

While many Ghanaians were relieved and happy the women were found unharmed, many began to question how and why the Canadians who happened to be whites and foreign were found in such a swift manner and their own fellow Ghanaian young girls, Priscilla Blessing Bentum, Ruthlove Quayeson and Priscilla Mantsebeah Koranchie who have been missing since late last year (one in August 2018 and the other two in December 2018) have not yet been located.

This also comes when the head of the Ghanaian Central Intelligence Department (CID) admitted to misleading the public when claimed to have information on their whereabout during a news conference months ago but later admitted to lieing.

It must also be recalled that two other foreigners (an Indian businessman and an Estonian Consular General) who were also kidnapped in Kumasi were all found alive.

While the circumstances of the kidnappings and the locations are slightly different, many Ghanaians have wondered why the foreigners were found and theirs were not. Some have accused the police force of being biased, others questioned their competence and integrity whilst others have expressed confusion and frustration as to why there have been different outcomes.

Some Ghanaians, particularly members of the opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been angry at the government and charged negligence about it’s own nationals. Some foreign countries including Canada, the UK and Australia have also issued an advisory to their citizens to take appropriate safety precautions as they may be targets for kidnappings and robberies.

Part of the Ghanaians’ frustrations stem from an apparent lack of transparency in the investigation concerning the Ghanaian missing girls. The families have also made passionate appeals on the Ghanaian media and accused the police of not giving them regular updates about their loved ones. Moreover, there have been inconsistent messaging from the police department regarding the status of the case.

Following the “release” and “rescue ” of the Canadians, Ghanaians have raised the following questions:

1. Were the Canadians involved in the search of their nationals? If so, can the Ghana government or police ask for their assistance and support in locating their own? Did the Canadians bring extra gadgets or experts? Can they lend us their gadgets?

2. Others have asked if the police privileges foreigners over its own nationals. If they can locate foreigners, why not their own?

3. Others have charged the police with racism: just because the Canadians are “whites”.

Whilst I see some validity in the accusations leveled by the Ghanaian public and the media, I think it is much more complex than people realize.

1. The Kidnappings occurred in different cities and perhaps under different circumstances.

2. Different dates/timing

3. The communications were much more controlled in the case of the Canadians than that of the Ghanaians. Immediately, after the case was known to the Canadian government the media and the public were urged to be “circumspect” in their reporting and commentaries. Very little details regarding the personal information and identifiers were released by the police.

The statement from the Canadian consulate and Global Affairs Canada was brief without specific demographic details citing “Privacy Act” provisions and a need to avoid compromising the integrity of the investigation. The Canadian government also emphasized on their focus on ensuring the safety and security of the women as their priority. No names or photos were released to the public.

With respect to the kidnapped Ghanaians, nealy every detail including their names, their faces, families and even possible locations were released to the public and the media. The investigation appear disorganized and scattered with no leadership or information control.

2. While the Canadians did not publicly admit to a direct involvement in the investigation, they they admitted to “cooperating” with the Ghanaian authorities. They were also providing “assistance” to the families of the kidnapped nationals. Moreover, part of Canadian consular services include “humanitarian and emergency assistance”, “requesting for transparent and timely investigations” or provide “assistance” nationals who face danger overseas including kidnapping and abduction situations.

3. Given Canada’s human right values, convictions and record, the age and gender of the Canadians, social status , being university students and involvement charitable work, Canada would do everything necessary to secure their release, safety and security. They would have, therefore, provided every support necessary to assist with the investigation and rescue operations.

4. The Canadian teams have the training, expertise, experience and the necessary resources to assist.

5. Canada has a history of securing their nationals who run into trouble abroad so this would not be any different. In fact, they currently are doing that in China and perhaps other places to secure the release of other Canadians.

6. The University of New Brunswick and the charity organization, Youth Challenge International ( YCI) would have played a major role in terms of advocacy, lobbying and collaborating with the Canadian and Ghanaian government to secure the safe release of the Canadian girls. YCI would also have provided every necessary support to ensure a successful operation.

7. It is politically prudent for the Canadian government to do so although Canada unlike Ghana to a greater extent, would offer such consular assistance without distinction irrespective of their social, economic and political status based on their individual track records.

I feel sorry for the missing Ghanaians and their families. While the criticisms of the Ghanaians are legitimate, they lose sight of many nuances, the mechanics of world politics and the intersections between race, gender, power, money and influence that impacted on the investigation and outcome.

I think in the end, it is not simply being white or foreigners or Canadians but a combination of many factors: race, money, power, influence, experience, discipline and professionalism made the difference.

I hope the Ghanaian authorities, the media and public would learn some lessons here going forward for future investigations to have a better outcome and in a timely fashion.

What have we learned from our own mistakes or the Canadians’ discipline, restraint and expertise that we can apply to obtain a better result? How can the public help? How are they harming the investigation? Definitely so much to be learned. Nothing would be gained in blame and name calling but lessons learned can prove useful.

We cannot commit the same mistakes and expect a different outcome. Neither can we sabotage the same government or police force who we still rely on to provide public safety and security.

Publicly chastizing the authorities undermine their efforts and integrity and serve no useful purpose. Reflect and send your concrete and constructive support and recommendation. Else leave it to the people in charge to perform their duties. The police also have a duty to conduct themselves in a way that conveys public trust in their work and competence.

Best wishes in the search for the Ghanaian girls. Let’s revamp the investigation and find the Takoradi young girls.

Kudos to the Ghana security forces and the what their work. Long live Ghana!

Signed

Akosua G.
June 15, 2019
Ontario, Canada

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