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General News of Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Source: ghanaguardian.com
2019-02-05
Rev. Teacher. Emmanuel Martey
The teacher. Emmanuel Martey, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, has engaged in the ongoing conviction of Ayawaso West Wuogon's election violence, believing that the deployment of masked men and heavily built under the guise of national security is "barbaric".
He added that their participation was unnecessary and that no explanation for security could justify such a cruel and monstrous security deployment.
Heavily armed men, allegedly members of the NPP-affiliated vigilante group, shot and wounded several NDC members in the NDC candidate's private residence about an hour after the start of the by-election.
Prof Martey, in a statement, said: "The violence and insecurity of the day has ridiculed the democratic powers of this country and I am still shocked by the presence of masked men and heavily built under the guise of national security in some polling stations.
"I join with many Ghanaians in totally condemning this barbaric act of violence that undermined our democratic skills as a nation.
"Are we ridiculing the rule of law in this country? How could members of Parliament, including leaders of this country, be badaulted without a crime committed and shots fired into a private house on an election day to disrupt the vote at the Presbyterian polling station? -Bawaleshie located near the home where they were fired? When the good people are silent, the bad people take over. Too much is too much. We are not in a jungle state, "he said.
Below the complete statement:
A PRESS RELEASE
As moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, I decided not to continue to talk about national issues, as I often did during my tenure. I think this practice is meant to allow and give the moderator all the space needed to represent the views of the church on issues of national development and democratic values.
I've always thought that leadership was like a relay race, and when we have the witness, we run as fast as we can until he pbades the baton to another person. As soon as he pbades the baton, he stops running and continues to cheer for victory. That is why, since taking up the duties of moderator of the oldest and oldest church in this country, I have been speaking actively in public functions where my views on national issues could be solicited.
However, I must unfortunately move away from this position because of the unfortunate and violent attacks that took place in the by – election in the constituency of Ayawaso West Wuogon. The violence and insecurity of that day are flouting the democratic credentials of this nation and I am still shocked by the presence of masked men and heavily built under the guise of national security in some polling stations. The participation of these men in the by-election was useless and no explanation of security can justify such a cruel and monstrous security demonstration.
Are we in the process of ridiculing the rule of law in this country? How could members of Parliament – including leaders of this country – be badaulted so that no crime is committed and firearms shot in a private house on an election day to disrupt the vote? at the Presbyterian polling station in La Bawaleshie near the house where the guns were fired? When the good people are silent, the bad people take over.
Too much is too much! We are not in a jungle state. I join with many Ghanaians in totally condemning this barbaric act of violence that has undermined our democratic competences as a nation.
Experience has shown that investigations into such heinous and despicable acts never end because of political interference, and many people, including myself, have little confidence in the current system of criminal investigations to good job. Security in this country has been too politicized. People in security should not be controlled by political parties.
I call on the president of the nation to act quickly to put an end to all acts of vigilance in this country. I want to believe that the President's support for a speedy investigation into this case will lead to a conclusive investigation so that the perpetrators of this crime are punished.
There is an urgent need to badess the current security structure and leadership in the security sector since the events of last year. The current event reflects the lack of tact and professionalism of most chiefs and ministers in charge of security.
We must protect the stability of our country through patriotism and use modern approaches to security. I dare say that if the current perverse trend of party militancy is not overcome, the nation would suffer greatly from the activities of these deviant bulls, employed by some. political parties.
All Ghanaians should not be complacent, particularly those who have been given the mandate to govern; and we must not take for granted an atmosphere of peace in the country. This country is ours! Such an anarchic act must never happen again to destroy our country. God bless Ghana.
PRODUCED BY
. . . . . .
TOWER. TEACHER. EMMANUEL MARTEY
(Former Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Ghana)
Dated 4 February 2019.
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