Koko Anyidoho’s Treasonable Comments: The Ghana Police Service Must Demonstrate Readiness To Defend Ghana

I would like to commend the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police service for their swift response to the reckless and buffoonery of Koku Anyidoho the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress. It is absolutely unacceptable for a whole deputy general secretary of the largest opposition party in Ghana to make such irresponsible comment on radio that there was going to be coup d’état to overthrow the government of Nana Akuffo Addo and the New Patriotic Party starting today 28^th March, 2018.

It must be stated clearly that the comments were treasonable and must be treated as such. Koku Anyidoho made reference to an incident in Ghana’s political and constitutional history where the government of the Progress Party was overthrown by General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong in a coup d’état on the 13^th January 1972 and claimed history was going to repeat itself. He was categorical that the current President Nana Akuffo Addo will be overthrown the same way his father who was the Head of state was forcefully removed from office in 1972. Anyidoho went ahead to demonstrate how the Nana Addo’s unconstitutional removal will take place.

The comment is in complete violation of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. The Constitution of the Republic is very clear on what constitutes treason. Article 19 (17) of the Constitution states that, treason shall consist only-

(a) in levying war against Ghana or assisting any state or person or inciting or conspiring with any person to levy war against Ghana; or

(b) in attempting by force of arms or other violent means to overthrow the organs of government established by or under this Constitution; or

(c) in taking part or being concerned in or inciting or conspiring with any person to make or take part or be concerned in, any such attempt.

In the case of Koku Anyidoho, the clause (c) is very relevant. Clearly, Anyidoho by his comment is inciting civilians in the country to violently or forcefully remove the President from Office. The Police is right to charge him for treason felony or causing fear and panic. For all intent and purposes, he has demonstrated his intention to cause coup d’état. If this is not coup then what is it? Those who claim Koku meant civil disobedience are the politically uninitiated or dishonest individuals. Why will Anyidoho make reference to the 1972 coup d’état if he actually meant civil disobedience. Koku knew exactly what he was talking about. Who said coup d’état by civilians has the tacit approval of our constitution and criminal codes? Coup is coup whether it involves the military or civilians. I am surprised by the arguments by some NDC elements that coup must involve the military. To be charitable, this is a very pathetic argument.

Another thing that makes the whole statement and events after Koku’s arrest is the implicit endorsement of his recklessness by the NDC. Immediately the issue came to the fore, the NDC through its General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia dissociated the party from the unfortunate comments but fell short of condemning it in strongest terms. This same party which had dissociated itself from the comment because they believe it was uncalled for are the same people defending him after his arrest or invitation to the by the CID. The hypocrisy of the NDC has reached a sickening crescendo. They have lost every modicum of credibility left if there was at all.

I am excited about how many well-meaning and right thinking Ghanaians have condemned such commentary in our body politics. My only reservation relates to the decision of the police to permit the demonstration to go on. Anyidoho said he was going to begin the overthrown of Nana Addo through civilian coup and will begin on Wednesday 28^th March 2018. If the police considers Anyidoho’s publication and conduct as threat to starting to national security and peace, why will they allow the demonstration to take place when he was arrested at a press conference where he was mobilizing support for his supposed insurrection?

More so, the police should as a matter of urgency investigate all the leaders of the demonstration and the leadership of NDC because according to Anyidoho, the demonstration which had the leaders of the NDC at the foreforent is meant to herald the overthrow of Nana Akuffo Addo. Nothing should be taken for granted.

The police should quickly process him for court and try to secure a remand. If nothing at all, Koku should spend the Easter in police custody.

I hope the law will be applied stringently in this matter to serve as deterrent to others with ideas and foolhardiness like Koko anyidoho. This kind of rabble-rousing and incendiary comments have no place in our politics.

Thank you
James McKeown
[email protected]
+358451856393
Helsinki