Violent crimes reported has increased from 183 in 2020 to 220 in 2021, representing a 20% rise the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) has said.
According to the BPS, the top five most reported violent crimes are murder/manslaughter, armed robbery, assault, burglary, and suicide cases.
Firearm also used in the commission of violent crimes has increased by 79% over the same period in 2020. 74% of reported armed robbery cases involved the use of firearms, while 20% of homicides involved firearm use.
The BPS disclosed these in the Ghana Public Safety and Crime Report from January-June 2021.
The report also revealed that more than 80% of violent crimes occurred outside of the place of abode/homes of victims; these include roads and highways, offices, business/trade spaces, places of worship, and other transitional spaces. More than 95% of armed robbery incidents occurred outside of home and 76% of murder/manslaughter cases were reported to have occurred out of home.
Violent crime deaths reported increased from 134 in 2020 to 171 in 2021 representing a 28% increase.
The Central region recorded most reported suicide cases of six out of a total of 21 cases for the period in 2021 representing 29% of suicides reported across the country; followed by the Greater Accra region with 14% of cases.
Most reported armed robbery incidents occurred in the Greater Accra region forming 24% of all armed robbery cases, and the Ashanti region followed with 16% of incidents.
More females (59%) were reported as victims to murder/manslaughter cases, while 81% of males were reported as victims of armed robbery events.
ROAD TRAFFIC CRASHES
The reported stated that all aspects (i.e., reported cases, deaths and injuries) of transportation increased as compared to 2020, and the trend at the end of June 2021 was on the upward trajectory.
Reported cases of road traffic crashes (RTCs) increased by 18%, deaths and injuries reported in connection with RTCs also increased by 8% and 16% respectively.
Private cars reported to have been involved in RTCs in 2021, compared to the same period in 2020 exceeded 100%.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Police arrest efforts for the period decreased from 268 in 2020 to 244 reported arrests in the same period of 2021, representing a 9% decrease in efforts.
Out of a total of 10 police officer casualties reported for the period, 50% (all deaths) occurred during armed robbery incidents, and another 30% were alleged suicide cases.
Various statutory and regulatory violations reported for the period in 2021 occupied the third spot on the reported crime league chart. These include COVID protocol, road traffic, sanitation violations among others.
According to the BPS, the report is evident that gun control in Ghana requires a lot more effort than is being currently done.
“Efforts to review the legal regime of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, and to create a multiagency-cooperation system involving the police, customs, and other state agencies in order to fight illegal proliferation of firearms into the country should be hastened,” BPS said.
It added: “The data indicate that violent crimes such as armed robbery and homicide cases occurred more frequently on our roads and highways, offices, shops, places of worship, places of entertainment, and other transitional spaces than in homes. Efforts to educate the public about situational awareness and dangers in transitional spaces, and community policing cannot be over-emphasized. State mounted CCTV cameras should be deployed, and footages occasionally released to the public to promote awareness and serve as a deterrent to would-be criminals.”
The BPS disclosed it is in the process of pushing through a National Road Safety Authority Regulation, the National Road Safety Authority clothed with unimpeded authority to manage safety on the roads and should institute some radical interim measures at driver education, and speed control to reduce the rising trend of road casualties.
