Minority Alleges Lawlessness

The Minority New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Parliament has decried what it termed the “unprecedented, heightening and intensifying spate of lawlessness  prevailing in some parts of the country.” It described the situation as worrisome and gradually negating the recent  recognition and acknowledgment of Ghana as a country putting together efforts to promote peace, security and stability.

At a press conference in Accra yesterday addressed by the party's spokesman on Defence, William O. Boafo, the group cited events,  including the clash between supporters of the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Agbogbloshie in Accra, the Bawku conflict, and the recent mysterious child related deaths in certain parts of Accra “as some of these acts of insecurity.”

He was flanked by Messrs Frederick Opare-Ansah, MP for Suhum, Adamu Daramani-Sakande MP for Bawku central and Ms Frema Osei-Opare, MP for West Wuogon.

Mr Boafo also cited the alleged invasion and attack on the residence of  Col Kwadwo Damoah, former Director of Manpower and Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces by some unidentified armed men as one of such disturbing happenings.

“The Colonel had to disappear and his family almost relocated for fear of their lives.  His only crime was that he is alleged to have openly and frankly commented on unprofessional intrusions into the life and work of the Ghana Armed Forces which could have negative effects on the cherished professional neutrality of the forces,” he said.

Consequently, the Minority group has called on the NDC administration, in particular the Minister of the Interior, to take immediate commensurate and concrete steps to arrest the re-emergence of lawlessness, disorder, insecurity and instability “which are being perpetrated with impurity and gross disregard and disrespect for fundamental rights and  personal freedoms of the citizens.”

He urged the government to intensify investigations into the occurrences with a view to identify and prosecute all offenders or deal with the culprits in accordance with the appropriate laws of the country without fear or favour.

The Minority further requested the government to report from time to time on the state of affairs in the conflict areas and “justify the continued imposition of curfew and other restrictions on the movements and other activities of the citizenry to Parliament.'

“The group will like to call on the leadership of the NDC to admonish its supporters to halt their harassment, humiliation and annihilation of person perceived to be supporters of the NPP,” he said and warned that if steps were not taken to stem the tide, “we the Minority will advise ourselves.”