Hold political leaders personally responsible for vigilance – Prof. Adei

General News of Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Source: Myjoyonline.com

2019-02-05

The chairman of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) called on political leaders to deal with the negative effects of the actions of political vigilante groups.

Professor Stephen Adei told Joy FM's Super Morning Show on Tuesday that political leaders should be held personally accountable for the actions of these groups.

He explained that if political leaders, including John Mahama, President Nana Akufo-Addo and others did not run the risk of getting caught up in the groups, they would not call them.

"Only two things matter to them [politicians]unless they know that they are personally liable for their actions and that it would be detrimental to them. Second, they will act if they think that something is going to be good for their political fortune … "

"Until now, they consider that these boys are good for their political fortune, I think we should insist that those who do this are bad for Ghana and that there must be a crusade direct target and as soon as the politician knows it would go against me, they will change, "he said.

The former educator talked about the violence that occurred recently during the partial election of Ayawaso West Wuogon in Accra last Thursday.

Gunmen dressed in National Security clothing stormed the residence of the Democratic National Congress (NDC) candidate and engaged in a shootout. The violence then intensified until the voting center in La Bawaleshie, nearby.

At least six people were injured. Ningo Prampram MP Sam George was also badaulted.

The NDC withdrew its agents from over 135 polling stations, citing the Bawaleshie incident as an intimidation.

Although the gunmen wore masks, pictures of some of them without their disguise suggest that they are members of the invincible force of the NPP, a self-defense group.

The Minister of State for National Security, however, told News News Service on Thursday that they were National Security agents acting in the intelligence service.

President Nana Akufo-Addo condemned the attack "unambiguously" and called for the punishment of those found guilty after the investigation.