A former Information Minister under the Rawlings’ regime, Kofi Totobi Quakyi has expressed worry over the assault of a military officer by a national security operative at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region.
Mr. Quakyi who had blasted the government for failing to crack the whip on offenders of the Ayawaso West Wuogun by-election violence as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry says, the recent act shows the emboldening of the national security to engage in acts of violence without recourse to the law.
In a statement, Mr. Quakyi maintained that this development is likely to create anxiety among the voter population ahead of the 2020 general elections.
“Sadly, the recommendations of the commission was set aside by the President. The recent exploits by national security operatives in attacking and humiliating a senior non-commissioned officer in the full glare of the public is reminiscent of a group that feels justified and emboldened. Already, there is a pervasive anxiety among Ghanaians as we inch closer to the December 7 polls. That anxiety is being fueled by the recent assault on the military officer by members from the same group whose lawless actions have in the past gone unpunished”, Totobi Quakyi said in the statement.
The National Security Officer at the Bureau of National Communications Nana Osei-Tutu allegedly assaulted Warrant Officer Mashud Salia on Wednesday, November 25, 2020.
He has since been interdicted.
But according to Totobi Quakyi, President Akufo-Addo can only prove his outrage over the incident by ensuring that national security operatives conduct themselves properly on Election Day.
“The ultimate test of the sincerity in the President’s expression of regret over the assault on the soldier will be in the conduct of these so-called national security operatives come Monday, December 7, 2020, and thereafter”, he said.
Here is Mr. Totobi Quakyi’s full statement
I have read a statement issued on behalf of His Excellency President Akufo-Addo by the Minister for Information expressing regret about the recent assault on a serving officer of the Ghana Armed Forces by national security operatives under the command of an officer of the Bureau of National Communications.
The mention of national security operatives evokes bitter memories of their complicity in the violence unleashed on fellow citizens during the infamous Ayawaso West Wuogun bye-elections.
A duly constituted commission of enquiry into the violence at Ayawaso— The Emile Short Commission— made specific recommendations on actions that must be taken to serve as deterrence against such wanton acts of indiscipline by party militia clothed as national security operatives or what have you.
Sadly, the recommendations of the commission were set aside by the President. The recent exploits by national security operatives in attacking and humiliating a senior non-commissioned officer in the full glare of the public is reminiscent of a group that feels justified and emboldened.
Already, there is pervasive anxiety among Ghanaians as we inch closer to the December 7 polls.
That anxiety is being fueled by the recent assault on the military officer by members from the same group whose lawless actions have in the past gone unpunished.
The ultimate test of the sincerity in the President’s expression of regret over the assault on the soldier will be in the conduct of these so-called national security operatives come Monday, December 7, 2020 and thereafter.
God bless our homeland Ghana.
Kofi Totobi Quakyi CV Accra, December 2, 2020.
