The Cadres of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said the only way the rising cases of crime in the country can be fought is to sack the Inspector General of Police, Interior Minister, National Security and the Defence Ministry for doing nothing.
The group has listed 26 crime cases that have been recorded in the past two weeks in the country, an alarming situation that needs complete reform in the security set-up.
The NDC Cadres are asking the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to replace the security leadership with more efficient and confident people who can employ modern ways to tackle crime tactically.
“We call on the Akufo Addo / Bawumia government and their security advisors to as a matter of urgency call a crisis meeting to find immediate workable solutions and sack the IGP, National Security Minister, Interior Minister and the Defense Minister. The country needs fixing and it must be fixed NOW,” a release from the NDC Cadres noted.
According to the group, it is clear that the country is witnessing regime security as opposed to national security as a result of leadership failure.
The Cadres added that under the current NPP administration, Ghana has witnessed a surge in government-sponsored terrorist activities such as the Ayawaso West-Wuogon Constituency Parliamentary Bye-election, the Techiman South election shootings, the Ablekuma Central collation centre shooting, cross-border crimes, including arms peddling and weapons proliferation in Ghana, human trafficking, serial and contract killings, kidnapping and armed banditry as some of its major national security shortfalls that the government must urgently tackle to ensure safety and security of the citizenry.
Raising red flags to the alarming rate of crime recorded this year particularly in June, the Cadres of NDC have made recommendations to government which they believe will help solve the insecurity in the country.
Aside replacing the State Security leadership with more efficient and competent persons, they want recruitment into the security services to be transparent and not based on party and tribal lines.
Find below the full release from the group:
PRESS RELEASE
To: All Media Houses
We the Cadres of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have observed with concern and disappointment the rate of deterioration of the state of security in the country.
Under this NPP administration, Ghana has witnessed a surge in government sponsored terrorists activities, such as the Ayawaso West-Wuogon Constituency Parliamentary Bye-election, the Techiman South election shootings, the Ablekuma Central collation centre shooting, cross-border crimes, including arms peddling and weapons proliferation in Ghana, human trafficking, serial and contract killings, kidnapping and armed banditry as some of its major national security shortfalls that the government must urgently tackle to ensure safety and security of citizenry. It is clear that the country is witnessing regime security as opposed to national security and surge in crime is as a result of leadership failure. Ghanaians now live in fear much about the situation.pronouncements that have the effect that they have given up and cannot do anything about the crime situation in the country.
The threat of terrorism and violent extremism in Ghana has heightened discourse across the nation. Given the southward spread of extremist groups in Burkina Faso and the porous nature of our borders, there are concerns over cross border incursions into Ghana.
Violent crime is on the rise, including broad daylight armed robberies across the country. Nationwide, violent crime results in more than 500 deaths per year. Criminals frequently carry weapons; the most prevalent are locally manufactured pistols, rifles, and shotguns, also a number of weapons are smuggled into the country while our border security personnel are not able to do much about the situation. Reliable sources estimate that there are 1.2 million unregistered guns in Ghana.
The recent violence at the Ayawaso West-Wuogon Constituency Parliamentary Bye-election in January 2019 linked to State sponsored terrorist groups, such as Invisible and Delta Forces suggests the gravity of the threats it poses to Ghana’s democracy. Unfortunately, these groups have been absorbed into the National Security apparatus. The ability of these terror groups to seize public assets and interfere in court proceedings to free their colleagues from prosecution is also manifestation of the threat they pose. It indicates an attempt by the groups to entrench themselves as a semi-autonomous institution that threatens the legitimacy of the State.
Recent crimes in Ghana – June 2021
The number of crimes that have occurred within two weeks of June 2021 are alarmingly very scary and this demands immediate action from government to curb the situation and ensure safety and security of our country.
Some of the crimes within the last two weeks listed below:
- Armed robbers raid forex bureau close to Police headquarters
- CCTV footage of 23-year-old woman murdered by friend
- Four arrested over attacks on motorists at GIMPA
- Wife of KK Sarpong’s aide shot dead
- Woman, aged 27 stabs partner to death at Abesim
- Notorious armed robber grabbed at Assin Fosu
- Bullion van robbery and the killing of a Police Officer and a civilian
- The two police officers who robbed Indian businessmen of cash in a hotel
- Woman ‘kills’ son at Taifa
- 30-year-old man killed over GH₵10 debt
- Trader jailed eight years for child stealing
- Two suspected kidnappers arrested at Abeka Lapaz
- 17-year-old TV ‘thief’ beaten to death at Barekese
- Multiple defilements across the country on the increase
- Robbery attack at Paga leaves one dead, another injured
- 19 Burkinabes busted for unlawful entry into Ghana
- Retired Police officer, 72, arrested for defiling 6-year-old granddaughter in Central Region
- Kumasi: Suspected taxi driver killer grabbed
- 3 galamsey operators jailed 45 years by Takoradi Circuit Court
- Prime suspect in murder of 24-year-old-lady in Koforidua commits suicide
- Car snatcher allegedly ties taxi driver to the back of his car and drags him to death
- One killed, two others injured in robbery attack
- 27-year-old hairdresser stabs lover to death for being denied grasscutter soup
- 64-year-old man allegedly shoots himself in room at Ebiram
- Notorious Highway robbers block road, gun down woman
- Police arrest four suspected narcotics dealers in Ashaiman.
Causes of the present insecurity in the country
- People in government establishing special groups among the official security agencies
- Importation, distribution and sale of weapons to unauthorized i.e. landguards
- Excessive unrealistic promises to party foot soldiers that have not been met
- Economic hardship in the country
- Issuance of licenses for importation of weapons without due diligence and process
- Official intervention for release of arrested criminals,
- Corruption where criminals allegedly pay their way out which situation annoy especially the youth,
- Armed robbers now being emboldened by some in government and security agencies,
Inadequate equipping of law enforcement agencies
Inadequate security intelligence training
- Injustice – politicization of the judicial system (absence of rule of law)
Marginalization, high of levels nepotism and favoritism
High rate of unemployment
Extreme economic hardship.
Recommendations
- Government should marshall the will to enforce existing laws
- Purging the security forces off criminals
- Effective monitoring of porous borders
- Immediate replacement of State Security leadership with more efficient and competent persons
- Officers who should have gone on retirement should be made to go home. Those who are due for promotion should be considered based on transparency and competence
- All security ministers have demonstrated gross incompetence so they should give way for competent ones to take charge
- Recruitment into the security services should be transparent and not based on party and tribal lines
- Adequate equipping of the security services
- Professionalism must be applied in the security services
- Economic situation in the country must be improved as sound economy is better than body armour
- Employment opportunities must be created for all
- Equal opportunities for everyone irrespective of tribal or political orientation.
In conclusion, we call on the Akuffo Addo / Bawumia government and their security advisors to as a matter of urgency call a crisis meeting to find immediate workable solutions and sack the IGP, Security Minister, Interior Minister and the Defense Minister. The country needs fixing and it must be fixed NOW!
Com. Mark Taykyi-Banson
Communication Officer, Cadres of NDC
–Eric Nana Yaw Kwafo
Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
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