DCOP Awuni: A police gem in word and deed
There is no denying the fact that our dear friend and professional colleague, DCOP Angwubutogbe Awuni, who died at age 57, on March 14, 2016 after a short illness, was a stickler for discipline and justice.
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His trademark was candour and his word was his bond! Our friend was one of the most influential Ghanaian policemen and until his sudden death was the Eastern Regional Police Commander.
Stunned friends and colleagues, many of whom had no idea that he had been hospitalised at the Police Hospital in Accra, mourned a man acknowledged as a highly respected public relations practitioner and policeman.
Colleagues of DCOP Awuni from the Police Service, professional bodies and organisations such as the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Institute of Public Relations (IPR), and the Board and Management of the National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) and DVLA, among others, have all paid glowing tribute to him.
The entire Police Administration, The Eastern Regional Police Command and the Eastern Regional Security Council expressed shock at the passing of their colleague. Deputy Regional Police Commander, ACP James Azumah Abass, described DCOP Awuni as an exceptional police officer, saying:
"His conduct, honesty and idea of policing was quite different from any other person. He spoke his mind and fought corruption with all his zeal and it didn’t matter whose ox was gored. Awuni will put it bluntly to you when you were wrong.”
“He had a no-nonsense disposition and encouraged those who served under him to do same.”
“He built up a firm fan base in the country because of his discipline and integrity among other qualities. But beyond all that, at the very heart of the matter, Awuni was quite simply a hardworking and loyal citizen.”
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“He was respected by all sides of the political divide. President John Mahama in a tweet posted on his official twitter handle stated; “Sad month. March has taken a great toll. MoD Chief Director A. Fuseini, B Okala, DCOP Awuni & now J. Obetsebi Lamptey. Deepest condolences”.
Nana Addo, the flag bearer of the NPP, also in a tweet said “Saddened by the news of Awuni's death. Condolences to his family; may he rest in peace. Ghana has lost a fine, principled Police Officer.”
In a society where arguably these qualities are sadly in short supply, he stood out like a sore thumb. This principled stance culminated in creating many hurdles in his daily operations. Breaking the mould and thus being literally considered a non- conformist was something he learnt to deal with.
Awuni was a marketing communication practitioner, having trained at the Ghana Institute of Journalism from 1982-1984. In 1987, he topped this up with a course in Public Relations at the University of London (UK).
He is an old student of Bibiani Secondary School in the Western region, where he obtained his GCE Ordinary Level in 1979. He was enlisted into the Police Service on 15th October, 1980.
After being a awarded his diploma in journalism he was transferred to the Police Headquarters Public Relations Directorate in 1986. Awuni was commissioned to the senior officer core in 1990.
He served in various capacities and was assigned many roles over the years. At one time he was Director Police Public Relations, National Commander of MTTU and first Director-General MTTD, Northern Regional Commander and Eastern Regional Commander, which is where he was stationed before his death.
Awuni as Police Director of Public Relations
As director of Public Relations of the Ghana Police Service, Awuni excelled. He was supreme, always on top of issues. Admittedly he was not confronted with the numbers of media outlets currently available as well as the issue of social media. But we believe he would have coped with the clutter.
Awuni was effective as the interface between the Police Service and the various publics. His primary constituency at the time was the media. His networking and relationship with the media was excellent.
International work experience
Awuni, in the line of duty, served with the United Nations Mission to Namibia 1998-1999, United Nations Mission to Bosnia 2008-2009 and United Nations Mission to Sudan 2004-2005.
He attended a series of communal courses at Ghana Armed Forces Staff College (GAFSC) and confidently lists several IGPs as his referees on his curriculum vitae.
Awuni unveiled
Our friendship was underpinned by mutual respect and trust.
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We shared common interests with Awuni by way of our profession and appreciation of discipline, integrity and justice among other such issues. Beyond that we greatly admired his honesty, humility and frankness.
He was bold and fearless and this is where the policeman qualities in him took sway. Talking about boldness, many of us only got to know after his passing that his first name, which was difficult to pronounce, Angwubutogbe, means ‘boldness’ in the local language. This means that our friend lived up to his name.
As a policeman, Awuni was supreme
One of his last memorable statements was when as the Eastern Regional Police Commander he publicly declared that he was not prepared to take any police casualty in the ongoing Fulani Cow menace in the Eastern region. He directed security personnel in the region under his command to shoot and kill what he called “stubborn cows” belonging to Fulani herdsmen in the region.
“There are occasions when cows are directed towards security personnel when they are trying to enforce law and order and my instruction is to gun down the cows which are directed at you. You need to live to be able to enforce law and order, but don’t just go about killing the animals indiscriminately. Be professional, only fire when your lives are threatened.
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This bold instruction attracted considerable flak from some people, including Dr Emmanuel Kwesi Aning, Head of Research at the Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Centre.
Awuni, however, stuck to his guns and actually invited those people to come into the field to see and appreciate things for themselves.
Celebrating our colleague at the Ghana International Press Centre
When he was appointed the Northern Regional Police Commander in 2009, some of Awuni’s friends, including his former teachers, Dr Doris Yaa Dartey, organised a party at the Ghana International Press Centre for him.
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The event was used to recognise Awuni for his dedicated service to the nation as a policeman and marketing communication professional. On that day, in the presence of his wife, children and other relations he was honoured at an event attended by media colleagues.
Cherished memories
Awuni’s career in communication was influenced by Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere. His media journey started after an interaction on the road between Awuni as a traffic policeman and Ambassador Blay-Amihere.
In the course of that interaction Kabral typically enquired about Awuni’s educational qualifications and career interests, and satisfied that he had the requisite qualifications, he encouraged him to apply for admission to GIJ. Thus began Awuni’s communication career and rise from General Constable to DCOP.
Family man
Awuni was born in Bibiani in the Western Region, on April 7, 1959.
He was a true family man, spending any free time with his immediate family. On many occasions he took them out to the beach for relaxation and quality time.
He left behind a wife, Florence, and two adult children, Nareyore Ngwibutoge and Mrs Akaaha Ngwibutoge Eshun.
Last visit and conversation
One of the many friends, Mathias Tibu, visited Awuni at the Police Hospital on the Saturday before his death and passed on a message from him to another good friend, Peter Agbeko.
On receiving the message Peter called Awuni on Sunday (March 13), had a chat with him and promised to visit the very next day. But alas this was not to be as our friend passed on at dawn on Monday, March 14, 2016.
Let’s always remember Awuni, and on his behalf support his wife Florence as well as the children in our own individual ways.
He will be laid to rest on Saturday, May 7, 2016, at a private burial after a public burial service to be held at the National Police Training School, Tesano, Accra at 9 a.m.
This will be preceded by a wake at the same venue today, Friday, May 6 and a thanksgiving service on Sunday, May 8, at the Christ Apostolic Church at Osu at 8:30 a.m.