The New Patriotic Party Majority in Parliament has raised concerns over violent attacks on appointees of the NPP government, after the December 7 elections and subsequent declaration of President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC as winners.
In a press briefing addressed by the Deputy Majority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, the group mentioned two members of the National Democratic Congress, Col. Gbevlo Lartey, and Mr Kofi Totobi Quakyi as the ring leaders behind these harassments being meted out to their people.
“…..in addition to these troubling developments, we have received reliable intelligence indicating that acts of violent and thuggery are being orchestrated by certain elements of the NDC leadership; Mr Kofi Totobi Quakyi and Col. Gbevlo Lartey Rtd are the key leaders of the NDC who are behind these NDC thugs and inspiring the numbers to violence on innocent Ghanaians.
Even more troubling is information suggesting plans to intensify these violent acts immediately after the swearing in of the President-elect John Dramani Mahama.”
This intelligence, she stated, raised serious national security concerns about the safety of the public officials and the citizenry as a whole.
She said the NPP government stayed true to the Ghanaian people by ensuring peaceful election in which the flagbearer of the party conceded defeat just hours after the polls even before the official declaration by the electoral commission; and instead of the NDC to work to maintain the peace, they rather see it as an opportunity to engage in acts of violence and lawlessness and undermining the very stability that we all seek to protect.
She catalogued a number of incidents during and after the elections including arson, violent attacks on EC officials and other institutions as evidence of the acts of hooliganism.
She said the development is extremely disturbing as it has instilled fear in the public servants, deterring them from effectively performing their duties and destabilize our governance structure. “We must stress that the physical harm, intimidations and threats have no place in the free exercise of political rights,” she added.
“The NDC should note that it has worn election to govern the country and not to disturb the peace of Ghana. Focus on governance, the people, you claim have spoken so we insist that you focus on governance and leave NPP alone”.
They therefore called on all Ghanaians to be vigilant and to immediately report any suspicion of violent activity to the police and other relevant security agencies, adding that violent should never be part of any of our political discourse.
More, importantly, they called on the Ghana Police Service and all other security agencies to remain on full alert, act with professionalism and ensure that no one is considered above the law; individuals or groups perpetuating violence must be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice regardless of their political affiliations or perceived status in society, adding that the safety and security of every Ghanaian must be prioritized.
Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com
