NDC calls for investigations into "confessions" by Lord Commey

Accra, Dec. 14, GNA - Mr John Mahama, Director of Communication of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), on Wednesday called on the Inspector General of Police to initiate investigations into the alleged "confessions" made by Mr Lord Commey, National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), of the existence of "action troopers" capable of intercepting ballot boxes. Mr Mahama referred to the transcript of recordings of Mr Commey and said the "confessions" had serious implications for national security and the future of democracy in Ghana and, therefore, called for thorough investigations.

At a press conference to also brief journalists on the forthcoming Sixth National Delegates' Congress of the NDC, he said the transcript, published in "The Enquirer" of December 12, 2005, confirmed what the NDC had been saying all along. Mr Mahama, who is also the Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi, noted that under normal circumstances, the IGP should not be prompted to take action on a matter, which had serious implications for national stability.

"However, given the selective justice system prevailing under the Kufuor Administration, nothing is likely to happen to Mr Commey as an NPP official unless pressure is brought to bear on the Police and other security agencies." He said the Police must act immediately to demonstrate its willingness to tackle lawlessness in the Ghanaian society adding: "Ghanaians are waiting to see what the police will do."

Mr Mahama noted that on July 1, 2004, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, then the flag bearer of the NDC, spoke about the attempts to rig Election 2004 and accused the ruling party of planning violence to intimidate NDC supporters from going to cast their votes. He said Professor Mills made reference to illegally imported large quantities of weapons ostensibly for use by paramilitary forces. He added that in the course of the elections some situations arose which confirmed the suspicions of the NDC. "There were instances where polling stations were attacked and ballot boxes were removed by NPP operatives. In spite of all the evidence available, it was still felt that the NDC was crying wolf. Now, there is evidence from the horse's own mouth."

On the National Delegates' Congress to be held from December 21 to December 23 at the Eredec Hotel, Koforidua, Mr Mahama said former President Jerry John Rawlings, Professor Mills and the Minority Leader in Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin, among others, would address the opening session. The Congress under the theme: "United For Victory 2008" reflected the common determination to forge ahead in a spirit of unity, he said.

Mr Mahama said the process for media accreditation would begin from Monday December 19, 2005 at the Party Headquarters. The Party would make a bus available to convey media personnel to and from Koforidua on December 22. He said the Party would as soon as possible legitimise the position of Former President Rawlings as the Founder of the Party. A writ by a resident of Senya Adawso in the Central Region seeking a declaration against the NDC that in law Former President Rawlings was not the "founder" of the Party was struck out by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

However, it came out that the 2002 Constitution of the Party, which recognised Former President Rawlings, as the founding father had not been registered at the Electoral Commission as stipulated by the Political Parties Law.