OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR

Details

Category: Letters & Emails

Created on Saturday, 24 November 2012 00:00

Hits: 3206

OPEN LETTER TO THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR

{sidebar id=4 align=right}ENSURING A VIOLENT FREE ELECTION

(From Dr.Kofi Konadu Apraku- Chairman of Security Committee NPP)

Dear Interior Minister,

With less than two weeks to election 2012, many Ghanaians are deeply concerned about the lack of clear cut transparent election security plans that will assure us of the peace we all so ardently desire. A crescendo of voices rising from religious bodies, non-governmental organisations, traditional rulers, academics, students, businesspeople, professionals, workers and others throughout Ghana are demanding peace from political parties participating in this years’ Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

In response, many parties have pledged their commitment to peaceful, violence free elections. The New Patriotic Party’s commitment to a peaceful election is unshakeable and unambiguous. It is worthy to note however, that primary responsibility for ensuring and sustaining the peace before, during and after the election is primarily an internal security matter within the constitutional mandate of the Ghana Police Service.

It is in that context that the NPP deems it necessary to state unequivocally that the entire country’s consistent and constant calls for peace depend on demonstrably fair and impartial policing of the electoral processes before, during and after December 7, 2012.

The traditional role of the Police in election 2012 has become even more crucial in the light of the Electoral Commission’s reaction to alleged security infractions that may have contributed significantly to tilting the scales in some voting areas in the 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. When provided copious evidence of electoral violence consistent with an agenda to deprive NPP polling agents and monitors of access to certain polling stations in a region declared virtually ‘no go’ for the NPP, the Electoral Commissioner maintained that vote validity from his perspective did not include an evaluation of potential criminal violence.

Needless to say, this statement literally construed could mean getting the vote onto the Electoral Commission’s desk in any way possible. Coming from a political culture where not so long ago, the mere sight of a security uniform could send shivers of fear through entire communities, complicated by a sense of regime security where the security services appear unwilling to police the governing party, there is a growing sense of alarm that the NDC is planning and preparing to execute measures to maximise their votes and minimise that of their opponents, especially the NPP through any means, foul means not excepted.

Most of the NDC diabolical plans that were rumoured to happen during the registration period in Ashanti and the Brong Ahafo regions indeed happened. Today, it is again rumoured that the Ashanti, the Eastern, and the Brong Ahafo regions, perceived to be the traditional strongholds of the NPP, would be subjected to all kinds of violence, intimidation, harassment and electoral manipulations, including cutting off electricity supply, shortage of voting materials and supplies, late start of voting, and other administrative delays, all calculated to reduce voter turnout in these regions on election day.

Judging by the accuracy of the rumours in respect of the voter registration, every peace loving Ghanaian must take these rumours seriously and demand of the Ministry of Interior that they do not happen. Given the Electoral Commission’s position that it will accept and tally results irrespective of how the numbers are procured, it is imperative that the Police hierarchy assures all Ghanaians that it is not only up to the task of providing a fear free election but that it is prepared to also clamp down hard on any acts aimed at marring the beauty of the democratic electoral process, no matter the source of the potential disturbance.

Unfortunately, that appears not to be the case so far. In Akwatia, NDC tugs masquerading as Jihadists unleashed mayhem on their political opponents and destroyed personal property in broad daylight in the presence of hundreds of Police Officers who did not act to maintain the lawful peace because the goons belonged to the ruling Party, the NDC. Similarly, in Chereponi, an armed man caught on national television shooting at NPP supporters who was arrested and sent to the Police Station has had no charges pressed or any action taken against him. Again, in the Atiwa Constituency bye-election, the NDC National Women’s Organizer deliberately drove her vehicle through a crowd of NPP supporters, injuring several people who were hospitalised for several months. She was neither arrested nor prosecuted.

The registration exercise witnessed massive acts of unprovoked violence. In Greater Accra, NDC party activists roamed the streets of Odododiodio constituency with impunity, brandishing machetes and other offensive weapons, in the presence of the Police and intimidating people and disrupting the registration process, ultimately assaulting an NPP Parliamentary Candidate. All this happened in broad day light, and yet no one was apprehended, arrested, or prosecuted. Similar acts of violence, intimidation and harassments were also recorded at Trobo Amasaman, Krowor, Klottey Korle, and Dome Kwabenya in the Greater Accra region.

In the Ashanti Region, out of thirty nine constituencies, ten recorded episodes of violence, intimidation and harassments over the registration period. In Brong Ahafo, twelve constituencies out of the twenty four constituencies recorded various forms of violent incidents. Similar acts of violence and intimidation were recorded in the Volta, Eastern and the Northern regions. Most of these attacks against NPP supporters were duly reported to the police but not a single case was vigorously investigated, and prosecuted.

The Biometric Registration exercise gave many opportunities for the Police to test their readiness. Unfortunately, events then gave very little reason to grow confidence in the ability of the Police Service to collectively protect every person and party organisation involved in the election. Too many incidents of too little too late being done about major acts of violence and impunity instigated by identifiable people puts the integrity of the Police on line. Interestingly, whenever a Police Officer in the line of duty has acted impartially, the Police hierarchy have not always given clear backing and affirmed the authority of such Officers. In Tafo-Pankrono, the District Police Commander was in turn commended and then publicly chastised and disowned by the Police hierarchy for taking a bold stance against motor cycle riding macho men whose sole object was the disruption of the registration exercise.

Such is a situation that reflects selective justice. Selective justice is no justice and therefore unbecoming of a desire for peace. Allegations filed by the NDC against the NPP are acted on with alacrity. For example, at Asutifi South, Asunafo South and Tain constituencies in the Brong Ahafo region, NPP Parliamentary Candidates were immediately arrested by the Police when their NDC counterparts filed Police reports alleging registration violations. Several similar incidents of selective justice were recorded in the Ashanti region.

The danger of continued selective application of justice in a volatile political environment of heightened competition, demands that the Police Service rise above the fray, break decisively with the negative culture of politicization of state security agencies and approach the upcoming elections with complete professionalism as the only way to meet the aspirations of public calls for peaceful elections.

It is in that context that this letter is written. The NPP, as a major participant in the election and identifying with the fears and anxieties of millions of Ghanaians, demands sound, impartial and effective policing from now till after the election. The Police Service, in its leadership of electoral security must demonstrate an unshakeable commitment to impartiality and send strong signals that the macho menace will not be tolerated. This will go a long way to ease the fears of Ghanaians and ensure a violence free and fair election.

From media reports, the Police Service appears to have inaugurated election security task forces. The Armed Forces are also reported to be providing some support. What we, as participating political parties are not being told is how the on-going arrangements will assure national security on Election Day even if not before. This statement is because the run in to the Election Day has not been distinguished by confidence boosting policing. Very recently, it was reported that a young man was brutalised, assaulted at Tetteh Quarshie Interchange by several persons associated with the NDC. Upon arriving at the Airport Police Station, an Aide to the President, Mr. Baffoe Bonnie is reported to have driven in and secured the release of the NDC thugs whilst the bleeding victim was locked up for several hours and denied medical attention in spite of strenuous efforts to get him some vital medical care.

Furthermore, every day, reports of violence against NPP supporters from across the country, are received, many of which are reported to the Police but are disregarded. In Sefwi Wiawso of the Western region, NPP supporters at the Sefwi Wiawso Womens Nurses Training College who were attacked during the biometric registration were again beaten mercilessly during the visit of the President to the town on an unproven allegation that one student had thrown water at the President. One of the students had to be evacuated to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi. Incidents of unprovoked acts of violence, intimidation, and harassments, and provocations by NDC supporters against NPP supporters have been recorded in Yendi, Nandom, Navrongo, Nadowli/Kaleo, Dafflama/ Busie/Issa, Sissala East and so on.

Increasingly, some constituencies are been declared “no go” areas to the NPP. Asutifi South is one such constituency. As recent as November 9th NPP constiteucy executives, including the Chairman, Oppong Appiah, Organizer, Musa Isaka, and senior member of the Party, Mrs. Cecelia Amaoh, a former Ambassador were attacked for distributing bicycles to NPP supporters without any provocations by tugs led by Abdulai Naba, the brother of Collins Dauda, the Member of Parliament for the constituency and also the Parliamentary Candidate. The tugs seized seven bicycles and destoroyed the instantly. The matter was reported to the Dadieso Aba police station. Like the many others listed above, no arrest has been made.

In the current situation, a significant confidence booster ahead of the election would be a closed door briefing of all the participating political parties. Questions that need to be addressed include the role of the Special Forces, the leadership and authority of Regional and District Security Committees, REGSEC and DISEC respectively, the conduct of security personnel at polling stations and the integrity of the early ballot to be cast by Election Day workers. Again, the situation whereby District Chief Executives and Metropolitan Chief Executives, who may be Parliamentary Candidates in this year’s elections also head the District Security Committee DISEC and the Regional Minister who heads REGSEC, should not be tolerated since these individuals have vested interests in the decisions made by these Committees.

In that regard, best practice during the NPP era, to avoid such conflict of interests, was to enable and empower district and regional police commanders serve as the respective chairmen of the security committees. It is important that the Police Service engage the parties in these matters to enable consensus and assure Ghanaians of Police Service capacity to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections.

Going forward, the NPP believes that the Police Service and indeed, the other security agencies supporting the Election Task Force have as much of a stake in free, fair and peaceful elections as has the entire population. A security posture that advises and adopts a ‘hands off’ approach to the ruling NDC party election machine does not guarantee the peace. Instead, the Police have a chance to proudly deepen institutional credibility and capacity locally and worldwide by putting the law above all persons and party colours. Such an approach can only bring glory as the true choice of the people will be legitimised by the fairness of the election environment which can only be assured by the quality of policing.

Indeed, it may be time to demystify issues bordering on National Security and the Inspector General of Police may have the singular honour and historical recognition of leading the process of inclusive democratic policing of the ballot. The 4th Republican Constitution supports such a process given that the security agencies are under civilian control in a framework that emphasises that the maintenance of National Security is a shared responsibility involving all citizens but spearheaded by the State’s Security Agencies. That is why with less than three weeks to the elections, the NPP is urging the Police hierarchy to invite the major participating parties to at least inform them of broad plans, programs or actions to be put in place to ensure peaceful elections.

Once again, the NPP pledges to work fully with all the security agencies in order to accomplish a shared national security strategy to protect lives and property for peace and prosperity. Selective justice or political discrimination in the administration of justice in our country should be done away with and there is no better time to start than now.

Thank you.

Dr.Kofi Konadu Apraku

(Chairman of Security Committee –NPP)

No comments

Sir John: No One Comes Close To Ayariga’s Blockheadedness...Even His Party Executives Wanted To Beat Him

Details

Category: NewsBrief

Created on Thursday, 22 November 2012 00:00

Hits: 3183

Sir John: No One Comes Close To Ayariga’s Blockheadedness...Even His Party Executives Wanted To Beat Him

The General Secretary of the NPP, Lawyer Kojo Afriyie, has harshly labeled the flagbearer of the People’s National Convention(PNC), Mr. Hassan Ayariga as the most “blockheaded” person on earth who has no equal in his league.

No comments

Ayariga Goes Gaga With Coughs & Jokes

Details

Category: Special Reports

Created on Thursday, 22 November 2012 00:00

Hits: 3160

Ayariga Goes Gaga With Coughs & Jokes

The flagbearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Hassan Ayariga, made a mess of himself at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) presidential debate as he was struck with uncontrollable bouts of coughs, which analysts believe were not genuine.

Mr. Ayariga’s coughs during the second edition of the IEA debate held for the four presidential candidates with representation in Parliament yesterday evening at the Banquet Hall, State House were mostly disruptive and distracted the flow of proceedings during the debate.

{sidebar id=10 align=right}Curiously, Mr. Ayariga’s explosive coughs only got the better of him when the presidential candidate of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, took his turn to respond to questions from the moderators of the debate, raising questions about the genuineness of his alleged sickness.

This sent wild speculations about the curious coincidence of Mr. Ayariga’s malaise, particularly when it became apparent that whenever he had the chance, he took on the NPP flagbearer.

Instead of talking about what he would do when elected as president, Mr. Ayariga continuously sang the tune of the ruling National Democratic Congress as if the PNC did not have any policy to pursue.

The PNC candidate took issues with the NPP’s free SHS policy and had protested earlier that he was not going to participate in the debate because he was sick.

Eventually, the debate was rescheduled, after which Mr. Ayariga agreed to rescind his decision to boycott the debate.

Woyome Pops Up

Despite the intermittent disruptions, the IEA debate took an interesting turn when the question of corruption was tabled.

The four debaters agreed that institutional strengthening would be needed in solving the corruption menace.

The NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo cited the infamous Alfred Agbesi Woyome’s GH¢52million judgment debt scandal as a classic example of officially sanctioned corruption.

President John Dramani Mahama of the NDC was not amused by this reference, stating that anybody alleging corruption should be prepared to prove it. “We must not just rumour corruption,” he charged.

He said the issue was about who cancelled the contract leading to the debt and not who had made payment but Nana Akufo-Addo rebutted and said that Ghanaians should be interested in what he called “frivolous payments.”

This stance however contradicts what his party promised in 2008. His predecessor, the late John Evans Atta Mills, told the electorate that if the NDC was voted into power that year, a mere allegation of corruption would be immediately investigated.

John Mills was reacting to the NPP’s stance that allegation of corruption should be properly proved before it was investigated as popularly stated by the then President John Agyekum Kufuor.

The first point of the usual face-off between the NPP and NDC was realized when this topic was being discussed; President Mahama would rather have the issue of the Woyome scandal tackled from the point when the contract was purportedly cancelled by the NPP government. “What causes judgment debt is what we should be tackling.”

According to Kofi Bentil, an Executive Director of popular think-tank IMANI Ghana, “The Woyome case is not about judgment debt, it is about proper fraud.”

Indeed, Mr. Woyome himself has admitted that he did not have a valid contract with the government, hence raising questions about the basis of referring to the Woyome saga as a judgment debt. Nana Akufo Addo completely disagreed with President Mahama’s stance that allegation of corruption of the Woyome scandal should be proved beyond all reasonable doubt.

He described the Woyome judgment debt as “dubious.”

Ghana has dragged Mr. Woyome to court on charges that he fraudulently fleeced the government of the whopping judgment debt. “We have had a series of events that have alarmed our nation, most of course are these very famous dubious judgment debts that have been paid out in the last few years. Large sums of money, payment of which are very questionable and whose basis many people in Ghana question as an example of high level corruption,” stated Akufo-Addo.

According to the PNC candidate, tackling such dubious payment would require measures that would discourage public officials from taking advantage of the judgment debt incidence.

The Organisation

This is the third time the IEA has organised the presidential debates for contestants in the December elections-two for presidential candidates and one for their running mates.

The format was basically the same. There were little changes though in the last round where the contestants were made to sit down instead of standing for the four-hour duration of the programme.

The event was characterised by the usual long preludes to the actual debates. The organisers delivered long speeches which usually turned out to be repetitive.

The Composure

The composure of the presidential candidates was almost the same as the first time they appeared on the IEA platform.

They exhibited a mix of emotions including composures betraying anxiety and a sense of heightened anticipation.

This was expressed in several ways: President Mahama, Dr Abu Sakara of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and Nana Akufo-Addo were generally calm.

However, Hassan Ayariga appeared uneasy as he kept fidgeting and moving uneasily in his seat.

Mr. Ayariga’s responses drew occasional murmurs and uncontrollable laughter from the guests.

When the questions started flying, it became apparent that the candidates of the two major parties-NDC and NPP became the main focus; occasionally, Dr. Sakara’s insightful responses saw a silent approval from the audience.

Source: William Yaw Owusu & Raphael Ofori-Adeniran

No comments

Prez Mahama Orders The Digging Of Nine(9) Graves...Who Are They Waiting For? - Ohene Ntow Asks

Details

Category: Special Reports

Created on Thursday, 22 November 2012 00:00

Hits: 3023

Prez Mahama Orders The Digging Of Nine(9) Graves...Who Are They Waiting For? - Ohene Ntow Asks

{sidebar id=10 align=right}A FORMER General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Ohene Ntow says the decision by the NDC government to order the digging of more graves upon the death of President John Evans Atta Mills has become a curse on the nation.

“I don’t think the steps taken to get the nine graves are the best for the country. It is a taboo…it should not be entertained but must be condemned in no uncertain terms,” he said on Oman Fm, an Accra based radio station Monday.

He said if President John Mahama cannot come out to explain the rationale behind the digging of nine graves then he should order the closure of the rest of them because “it portends a bad omen for the country and its leaders.”

Nana Ohene-Ntow noted that it was not the ordinary person who was to be buried in the graves but rather the country’s leaders. He wants the President to explain why graves should be dug when no leader is dead.

“When you talk about some of these things they take a defensive posture and try to incite the public against you. This is about our lives and our beliefs and we cannot shy away from it.

“All those who believe in God should rise up and pray to the Almighty that none of our leaders die so that the government will decide that he/she should be buried in any of the remaining graves.

“What I am saying is coming from my heart…it is coming from my own spirit. It is a taboo for President Mahama to sanction the digging of nine graves…who are the graves waiting for?

He said that when it comes to the death of any statesman particularly Presidents, family considerations take precedence adding “Be that as it may, the late President Mills was buried at Asomdwee Park but what baffles me is the digging of additional graves, nine or so. I have never understood that decision and I will continue to ask questions.”

“The circumstance leading to the final decision to bury President Mills in Accra was unpleasant but I don’t want to comment further for the sake of the family.

“What happened – that one person dies (Mills) and it leads to the digging of nine graves? What was the significance of that? Is that why our leaders have started dying? We need answers.”

He accused the NDC of making frantic attempts to hijack the funeral of the late former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, but for the resistance put up by his family.

“When Aliu died, without extensive consultation, they said they were going to bury him there too. Even when Aliu’s final burial place had not been sorted out, Haruna Iddrisu ran to the media to announce that he was to be buried at the Osu Military Cemetery before a government release said it was rather at the Asomdwee Park.”

“Those of us wearing political lenses knew what they were trying to do. They knew that when Aliu’s body was flown to Tamale, it was going to soar the popularity of the NPP that was why they wanted to bury him in Accra against the wish of the family.”

“There is no doubt that it was a political funeral and the NDC wanted to hijack it to score cheap political points.

“They almost did the same thing to Doris Asibi Seidu, NPP MP for Chereponi who died in 2009 and I had to personally fend off the NDC interference.”

“Anytime disaster befalls the nation, the NDC wants to use it for propaganda whether appropriate or inappropriate.”

Source: William Yaw Owusu/D-Guide

No comments