News:
March 20, 2025
The Minority in parliament has once again called on the government to call the National Security operatives to order in what they described as the continuous harassment of political opponents particularly appointees of the former government.
At a press conference on Thursday, the Minority notes: “The Minority Caucus expressed its concerns about the growing lawless conduct of our National Security Operatives who the government has unleashed on opponents particularly the NPP appointees of the former President Nana Akufo-Addo. The aim of this is to intimidate and frustrate them”.
Citing the raids first on the house of the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta and now the house of the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, the Minority Leader, Afenyo-Markin said “acts of intimidation are relics of the past, they have no place in our democracy”, and a growing democracy as ours must see things being done differently.
“We’ve heard of some raids and in some cases these so-called security operatives rob these officials when they are leaving their premises. First was the raid on the home of the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta led by one Richard Jakpa, a known NDC activist who described himself as Director of Operations at the National Security”, stating that the Majority Leader had to apologize when the first incident occurred. However, at Dawn Yesterday, specifically at 5:00 AM, Mr Richard Jakpa was at it again. This time to the residence of Dr. Addison, the former Governor of the Central Bank”.
He said, Mr Jakpa claimed to have a warrant to conduct a search of the Roman Ridge residence of the former Governor, claiming to be looking for a vault which is purported to have some money in it.
“They forced their way, overpowered the security and entered the premises. This Rambo style approach must cease”, Afenyo-Markin emphasized.
Mr Afenyo-Markin affirmed that this was the first time any former Governor of the Central Bank has been subjected to this kind of traumatizing treatment.
He said though the security operatives could not find anything, the Governor also could not find his GHC10,000.00 that was on his bed, same with the Governor’s wife’s earrings and necklaces that could also not be traced after the search. “In other words, those operatives stole these earrings and necklaces “. Three cars, official vehicles of the Governor were also taken away only to be informed later that they’ve been parked somewhere so he should send his drivers to go and pick them around 4:30, the call came from this same Richard Jakpa”.
Ghana, he said has no room for lawlessness, and these actions undermine democracy and wind down investor confidence.
He thus warned that these actions may soon lead to some self-protection mechanisms from citizens and people whose lives and property feel threatened. “We are a nation of laws”, adding that legitimate investigations should be done in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Minority affirmed their support for accountability; but said they are against the abuse of human rights of people in the exercise of law enforcement.
The Minority also registered their protest regarding the arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa-Mensah who was arrested last night and later released, condemning the Rambo style in which such arrests are carried out.
Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com