PEACEKEEPING

16/8/2008

Story: Matilda Attram

A burial service has been organized in Accra for the late Sergeant Joseph Stanhope Dawson, 39, who died whiles on an African Union (AU) mission of peacekeeping operations in Darfur-Sudan.

The late sergeant Dawson with staff identity number 31324 G was said to be recruited into the Ghana Police Service in 1992 as a general Constable, a Corporal and later a sergeant, was said to have been on his second AU mission operations in El-Fasher to help restore peace since November 2007 until his untimely death on 8^th July 2008.

As a policeman Sergeant Dawson was said to be exposed to several challenges of practical police duties but had the courage to move on.

In a tribute read on behalf of the Ghana Police Service, they assessed him as dedicated, hardworking and proved equal to all tasks assigned to him. “Although his duties sometimes entailed a lot of risk, he never shrugged his shoulders whenever any assigned on a duty. He was a man who executed his task to the latter”. They said.

They therefore expressed their condolence to the bereaved family and said the officer’s

death had afflicted not only on the family and friends but also the Ghana Police Service.

The Ghana Police Contingent in United Nations African Union Mission (UNAMID) Sudan, in a tribute assessed Sergeant Dawson as being respectful, sober, jovial, popular, and exposed exceptional skills in his duties and was loved by his fellow international and national peacekeepers. “The Ghana Police Service as ell as the Civilian Peacekeepers in Darfur would forever remember Joe for his noble sentiment and the cause he died for”.

In his sermon, the General Police Service Chaplain, Reverend Frank Twum-Baah expressed his concern about how policemen are treated in the country. He said the work of policemen must be considered very important since they contribute immensely to a nation’s development. “Police personnel are very important to every nation and so must be given as much respect needed in delivering their duties. When a policeman dies on a cause of operation, he does that to save his nation and the citizens in it”

Some dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Inspector General of Police (IGP), P.K Acheampong, Chairman of the Ghana Police Council Mr. Justice Sam Glenn Baidoo, United Nations…….(UNDP) Administrative Analysts Mr. Dennis Aggrey-Ampiah, Director General of Peacekeeping in the Ghana Armed Forces Col……. Quaisey and Ghana Police Commander, Darfur-Sudan ACP Mr.Gyamena Yeboah.

The late sergeant Joseph Stanhope Dawson was on his way back with his team from an investigative patrol to their camp, as a result of an attack by unidentified gunmen who engaged them in a continuous gun firing for which lasted three hours. He left behind a wife and three children (two boys and a girl).