The National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Professional Forum, North America (NA) has expressed “deep concern” about the “looming threat of insecurity and social insecurity” that are being perpetrated by affiliated security structures created by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to the group, “We have also seen an intercepted letter from the office of the Upper West Regional Security Coordinator requesting NPP constituency chairmen to submit names of strong men to be trained purposely for election 2020; which suggests the formation of a ‘militia’.
In a petition titled ‘Help Address the Insecurity and Intimidation Tactics of Government’ signed by Mr Arnold Appiah, the president of the NDC Professional Forum, NA, stated that “using state resources to train people to hurt the state is not Godly and just.”
“We need a country where the churches can continue to function to the glory of God. We need a country where the media can function to deepen our democracy. We need a country where businesses can flourish to provide opportunities and prosperity for all,” the statement added.
Below is the full statement
PETITION: HELP ADDRESS THE INSECURITY AND INTIMIDATION TACTICS OF GOVERNMENT
The NDC PROFESSIONALS FORUM, N.A. is deeply concerned about the looming threat of insecurity and related impacts on peace and social cohesion that are being perpetuated by an affiliated security structure aptly created by the NPP.
We are particularly worried about the training of ‘macho-men’ believed to be supporters of the NPP at Asutuare on how to use guns and other combative tactics.
The purpose of this training per our intelligence, suggests a plot to foment trouble; before, during and after the 2020 elections. We have seen pictures on social media of these heavily built recruits some of whom have been identified by a section of Ghanaians.
Those who know them have identified them by their names, place of domicile, the party they belong to and the purpose for the training. Note also that HE John MAHAMA had previously raised this issue with the United Nations for immediate redress.
We strongly believe the military and other professional state security agencies over the years have shown their ability to secure the nation irrespective. However, we are dumbfounded about the seeming changes within the security structure to warrant the training of these NPP supporters into the state agencies and for what purpose we do not understand.
We have absolute trust in the military which we should not undermine for political expediency and parochial reasons. Otherwise, it would result in grievous impacts on our citizens whom we serve and whose power, given us to lead them, we ought to hold sacred. From all intents and purposes, the ‘macho-men’ are being trained to unleash violence and intimidation on innocent Ghanaians just to ensure that the NPP hangs on to power.
A clear example is a bloody violence at the recent bye-election at Ayawaso West Wuogon in the Greater Accra Region, a dress/rehearsal and foretaste of what is intended for election 2020. During the Emile Short Commission that probed the incident, it was revealed that Ernest Akomea alias ‘Double’ was trained at Asutuare for just three (3) weeks and handed a gun for the AWW operation.
The Commission called for criminal prosecution of ‘Double’ for the unauthorized possession of firearms under section 192(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, but the government has rubbished it.
We have also seen an intercepted letter from the office of the Upper West Regional Security Coordinator requesting NPP constituency chairmen to submit names of strong men to be trained purposely for election 2020; which suggests the formation of a ‘militia’. Section 2.8 of the Emile Short Commission emphatically recommended that support for special operations of the National Security Secretariat should be sought from the specialized units of the police directly as and when necessary. As Ghanaians in the diaspora, we believe the country deserves better and therefore we owe it a duty to ensure that we keep the peace and harmony we have enjoyed over the years.
We, therefore, demand that government, per section 5.3 of the Emile Short Commission’s recommendation, demonstrate, that the police have reviewed their recruitment procedures and installed merit-based criteria to ensure that the most qualified, and not the most well-connected, persons are enlisted.
Even though the government has denied recruiting party thugs, it is very clear its position not to prosecute persons recommended by the commission of inquiry is to entrench its reign of terror on Ghanaians. We need all well-meaning Ghanaians and stakeholders to add their voices to ensure that the government does not abuse its authority and plunge the country into a point of no return.
Using state resources to train people to hurt the state is not Godly and just. We need a country where the churches can continue to function to the glory of God. We need a country where the media can function to deepen our democracy. We need a country where businesses can flourish to provide opportunities and prosperity for all.
With reverence and respect to you as the vanguard of our polity and constitution as God would have it, we appeal to your wise counsel to prevail on the government of President Nana Akuffo ADDO to desist from this ongoing actions and to act as the leader that the citizens empowered him to.
May we enjoy the peace that we have.
Long live Ghana. God Bless our Homeland Ghana.
Signed
Arnold Appiah
President
