The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has issued a stark warning about the potential threat to Ghana’s democracy if the Ghana Police Service aligns with a single political party.
His comments came following the release of Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunnor, the NDC’s Parliamentary Candidate for Awutu Senya East, who had been detained by the Cantonment Police in Accra over gun ownership investigations.
Speaking at the NDC Headquarters, Asiedu Nketia criticized the police for allegedly acting on directives “from above” to release Okunnor.
He expressed concern over Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s dual role as the Vice President and Chairman of the Police Council, suggesting that this duality could lead to a bias in the police’s actions during the election period.
“If the Chairman of the Police Council is in a contest with us in an election and the police decide to be on the side of their chairman, then this democracy is at risk,” Asiedu Nketiah stated.
He further cautioned Minister of Special Development Initiatives, Mavis Hawa Koomson, implying that her current protection from accountability would not last indefinitely.
Earlier, John Dramani Mahama, the NDC’s flagbearer and former President, also condemned the detention of Okunnor. In a social media post, Mahama criticized the Inspector General of Police, George Dampare, and the National Security Advisor, Albert Kan Dapaah, for their roles in the detention, arguing that such actions could escalate political tensions unnecessarily.
“There is no justification for the decision by the Inspector General of Police, George Dampare, on the orders of the National Security Advisor, Albert Kan Dapaah, to detain a Parliamentary Candidate for the Awutu Senya East Constituency in Police custody,” Mahama stated. He urged the police not to undermine the nation’s peace and stability in the lead-up to crucial national elections.
Source: InsiderGH.com
