Alleged NDC thugs eject Bono Minister from residence, ransack public installations

It appears the acts of vandalism, looting, seizure of state property and other acts of lawlessness being unleashed on the Ghanaian people by alleged members and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after the party won last Saturday’s general election are far from over.

Following their election victory, scores of both state and private installations, including offices of the Electoral Commission, NADMO, warehouses of food for Free SHS students, warehouses of agricultural inputs for Planting for Food and Jobs and even police stations, among several others, have either been ransacked or vandalized while in some instances set ablaze by alleged rampaging thugs of the NDC.

In the Bono Region, for instance, some of these rampaging assigns of the NDC stormed the Residency in Sunyani, the official residence of the Bono Regional Minister and other top government officials and demanded to take over the place since their party had won the elections.

Unwarranted attack
“Five persons first came but were disallowed by the security detail at the main entrance. Later, ten persons came and later about 20 of them besieged the Residency demanding to take over the place,” the Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene, told our correspondent on phone after running for her life during the melee.

“I walked through a bush behind my official residence, and managed to find my way to a friend’s apartment at the Liberation Barracks in Sunyani where I’m currently lodging. I will urge everyone to remain calm, and avoid any acts of lawlessness while efforts are being made to peacefully and smoothly transfer power from the NPP to the NDC,” she said.

She expresses worry about attacks on the offices of the Metro Mass Transit workshop in Sunyani, the office of the Forestry Commission, a sawmill at Nkrankwanta, near Dormaa Ahenkro, which had been set ablaze, the Police Station in Wenchi and some warehouses containing agro-chemicals.

She said every effort must be made to ensure a peaceful transfer of power to further add to Ghana’s democratic credentials as had been the case over the years.

Police arrest 8
Meanwhile, the Police have arrested eight suspects for attacking the Metro Mass Transit workshop in Sunyani.

The police in a statement named the suspects as Issaku Taugfic, Abudu Isaiah, Abdul Latif Mohammed, Mohammad Azandoro, Alhassan Issah, Amadu Mohammad, Abdulai Adams and Abdulai Ibrahim.

The suspects, according to the Police, unlawfully entered the premises of the Metro Mass Transit workshop, attacked and threatened the workers to leave their offices.

“Police rapid response teams within the area swiftly responded to a distress call from the workshop which led to the arrest of the eight suspects,” the Police said.

This, according to the police, brings to 97 the total number of suspects arrested in connection with incidents of attacks, looting and destruction of property. The suspects are in Police custody and being taken through the investigative process.