The youth organiser of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Sammy Awuku has condemned acts of political violence in the country, but said locking up offices “is not new to our dispensation.”
Irate youth of the ruling party have been on rampage since the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition took over governance, demanding jobs and forcing government appointees out of office. The police have come under severe public backlash over their inability to effect arrests.
Speaking on the spiraling situation dotted around the country, Mr. Awuku noted the occurrences would have been history by now if the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) had nip it in the bud.
“However, I must put it on record that I don’t condone acts of lawlessness and vandalism,” the national youth organiser told Morning Starr host Francis Abban on Tuesday.
Although the police have been slow in pre-empting and curbing the alarming rate of political vigilantism, Mr. Awuku gave the assurance he will “collaborate with the law enforcement agencies to do their job.”
Over 19 acts of violence have been recorded under the aegis of NPP vigilante groups such as the Invisible Forces, the Khandaha Boys, Burma Camp among others.
He said: “What happened is irreprehensible.”
Over the last few months, vigilante groups associated with the NPP have carried out about 20 onslaughts on state institutions and government appointees over their dissatisfaction with some appointments among other reservations.
Prominent individuals including the Chairman of the National Peace Council Reverend Emmanuel Asante and former President John Mahama have condemned the attacks.
“The security agencies are there to do their jobs. If we don’t trust the police to protect us in such matters, then we are dead. I trust the Minister of Interior, I want to encourage him especially now that he has put his work on the line. We shouldn’t expect the President to order who should be arrested and who shouldn’t be arrested,” the Peace Council chair told Morning Starr host Francis Abban.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
