Former President John Mahama has condemned the arrest of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Awutu Senya East, Naa Koryoo Okunor, by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Dampare, who acted on the instructions of National Security Advisor, Albert Kan Dapaah.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), on June 7, 2024, Mr. Mahama warns that this action will fuel political tensions, creating an unstable environment for the 2024 elections.
“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. This action, taken on the instructions of the National Security Secretariat, will needlessly raise the political temperature in the country and spark avoidable tension,” Mr. Mahama said.
Mahama insists that the police must not be manipulated to undermine the country’s peace and stability, stressing that justice is a critical component in maintaining peace.
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NDC supporters have gathered at the Cantonment Police Station, burning tires and blocking roads, causing a standoff with authorities.
Arrest of NDC Awutu Senya East: Tyres being burnt in front of the Cantonments Police Station#3NewsGH pic.twitter.com/cb3gBH3us7
— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) June 7, 2024
It will be recalled on June 2, 2024, the Ghana Police Service announced the arrest of three individuals in Ofaakor for unlawful possession of a firearm.
The three suspects – Ms. Okunor, Mustapha Mohammed, and Abdul Aziz Musah – were arrested while traveling in a Honda CRV (GX-2044-19) near the Electoral Commission Office in Ofaakor.
A pump-action gun with four rounds of ammunition was seized from the vehicle during the arrest.
In an interview on June 5, Ms. Okunor clarified that she was merely invited for questioning by the police and not officially taken into custody.
“I have never been arrested. Yes, I was invited to the police station. I was not arrested. I was there because I had to go there. My driver was arrested, and my security guard was arrested because a licensed gun was found in my car. It was far away from the registration center,” Ms Okunor said.
Find below the full statement by John Mahama.
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.
This action, taken on the instructions of the National Security Secretariat, will needlessly raise the political temperature in the country and spark avoidable tension.
The Police Service and the IGP must not allow themselves to be used to hang the peace and stability of our nation months before crucial national elections.
I call on the IGP, the Peace Council, the government, and the people of Ghana to recognise that justice is not just a moral imperative but a crucial prerequisite for maintaining peace and stability in a nation.
We cannot allow the police service to be used to stifle opposition and intimidate innocent Ghanaians and political opponents in the run-up to the 2024 elections.
Clearly, the intention to detain her after she had already been granted bail is an attempt to intimidate the NDC Parliamentary candidate in her quest to unseat the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hawa Koomson, in the Awutu Senya East Constituency.
I urge the IGP to urgently reconsider his actions and release Naa Koryoo immediately for the sake of justice and the stability of our nation.
It is high time the police fulfilled their duty to serve and protect all citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations.
