Even though Amnesty International later denounced their actions as violating people’s rights, particularly the right to life, the squad’s primary mission of controlling and preventing armed robbery incidents nationwide resulted in a sharp decline in criminal activities.
Although there might have been better options available at the time, Jerry John Rawlings may have been inspired to create this project by the obstinacy of certain criminals. Given how dominant and self-assured they were in their line of work, it seemed as though Ghana belonged to them.
Naturally, they are enduring hardships brought on by the economy, just like we are, but I think there were other important investment options, such as in agriculture and other entrepreneurship initiatives with more components that contribute to wealth development.
Rawlings had to stop these criminals from taking the law into their own hands and wreaking havoc, terror, and panic in Accra’s major cities and beyond. In the 1980s, the country was so frightening that investors were terrified to set foot here. At Dome, a notorious robber shot a German. All of these incidents demonstrate the dangers of those criminals’ actions as well as some of the most clever tactics they were using.
Rawlings specifically established the Anti-Armed Robbery Squad (AARS) in 1981 to stop the alarming occurrences of crime (armed robbery) and the ensuing impact on the general populace. Rawlings’ most powerful individuals in crime management and control were thought to be the 11-man team that oversaw AARS operations and gave orders for the capture, investigation, and death of all guilty criminals. Because of their special duties and directives, they were also designated as Special Police Officers (SPOs). Among these men are:
1. SUPT. Dogbevia, Wonder K.
2. Mr. K. Dzakpata, SUPT.
3. Mr. Ben Mensah, C/SUPT
4. SUPT. Mr. Zidah, S.K.
5. Mr. Kofi Boakye, DSP
6. Mr. I.F. Amponsah, ASP
7. Mr. Paul Apreku, ACP
8. ASP. Nana Owusu Prempeh
9. C/SUPT. Mr. B.M. Nkelebea
10. DSP. Mr. E.O. Annang
11. SUPT. Mr. D.A. Osei.
These commanders were in charge of investigating robbery cases all over Ghana, including those involving individuals who had firearms and ammunition without a valid reason, those who were using authorised weapons for land guard duties, and other important suspicious operations.
