With barely 24hrs to the elections, the opposition National Democratic Congress is already in tatters in the Ashanti Region after the National Organizer, Joseph Yamin and others,were attacked by NDC hoodlums during a live press conference in Kumasi.
Mr. Yamin,had organized a press conference which was originally planned to be addressed COP(Rtd) Kofi Boakye on Friday,6th December,2024 but he(Kofi Boakye) failed to show up.The press conference was to express some concerns about an alleged deployment of some military personnel in the Ashanti Region on the eve of the elections when some angry thugs belonging to the party’s vigilante group stormed the premises and disrupted proceedings.
For several hours the angry thugs held the National Organizer of the NDC hostage, locking doors and chasing everyone including invited media personnel out of the regional conference room.
Video attached below;
According to the thugs, they are disappointed in their leadership for failing to match up the NPP in terms of preparations, adding that their information indicates that the ruling party had already advanced in terms of preparations compared to them.
Amidst destruction of chairs and raining of insults on their leaders, the macho men accused the leadership of the NDC of not being serious.
“if you want to win an election you don’t organise unnecessary press conferences; your opponents are already on the field working and you are here holding press conference ” they argued.
According to eyewitness, they are yet to come to terms as to how the retired Police Officer, COP Kofi Boakye exited the scene few minutes after the disruption occurred.
Meanwhile, the supporters say they are not happy with the party’s approach to tomorrow’s polls.
The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has implemented stringent security measures ahead of Ghana’s general election on December 7, 2024, to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Following a meeting on November 27, the Council announced that state security forces will oversee the elections, explicitly banning vigilante groups and private security personnel from polling stations.
The Ashanti Regional Security Council directs that bodyguards for ministers, deputy ministers, and other dignitaries must not enter the inner perimeter of voting centers.
The Council has placed a ban on political paraphernalia, stressing that items bearing political party logos or slogans are not permitted within polling centers.
Additionally, the council warns that no vigilante groups, machomen, private security personnel, or other forms of security will be allowed entry into polling centers.
The council noted that only accredited Electoral Commission staff, political party agents, and voters may enter the inner areas of polling stations. Mobile phones and cameras are also banned in these zones.
Again, the Council stated that no motorcycles will be allowed near polling locations to prevent potential disturbances.
The council, however, states that violators of these directives will face legal consequences.
They also emphasize the importance of cooperation from all stakeholders to maintain a secure environment during the elections.
Voters are encouraged to participate actively while security forces remain vigilant in safeguarding public safety and property.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, reiterated the commitment to uphold peace and order throughout the electoral process.Source : www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
The National Elections Security Taskforce, led by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare, has issued a stern warning to private security operatives not to interfere with the work of state security forces before, during, and after Saturday’s elections.
Recent elections in Ghana have been marred by violent activities involving vigilante groups, some of which operate as private security for political figures.
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Speaking during an engagement with the Association of Private Security Organizations, IGP Dampare reassured the public that state security agencies would maintain full control of election security, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring peaceful and orderly elections.
“The only entity responsible for providing security is the state security and nobody [else]. We don’t want a situation where the ordinary Ghanaian voter is confused and probably intimidated by any citing of or any form of uniform that makes them very apprehensive in showing up and casting their votes.
“To Ghanaians, we want to assure you that we have your back, and we will do anything that it takes for you not to be confused”.
“Especially the voters so that you can walk into the polling stations to cast your vote peacefully with a lot of confidence, knowing that nobody can intimidate you. We are with you and with all the political Parties and their candidates and assure them that the measures we are putting in place are for the benefit of all, to ensure that they also have confidence in the system and do not even make any attempt on their own to try to provide security for themselves for we are fully and totally in charge”.
The elections’ security task force also engaged the Commonwealth Observer Mission led by former Botswana president Mokgweetsi Masisi assuring them of their preparedness for the polls.
Dear IGP, I humbly request a ban on toy guns on Election Day. The current playful use of toy guns is causing fear and panic. Yesterday, at Stadium Street, I witnessed a toy gun fall from someone’s pocket and get run over by a car.
Surprisingly, the toy gun was in a leather case, making it hard to distinguish from a real gun..
I advise that we take action, as criminals may take advantage of this.
PRESS RELEASE
TO: ALL MEDIA HOUSES
DATE: 22ND NOVEMBER 2024
With just 14 days left until the 2024 general elections, the African Electoral Institute (AEI) commends the Ghana Police Service, particularly the Election Command Centre and IPAC, for their tireless efforts towards ensuring peaceful elections.
Yesterday’s productive engagement between IPAC and the Security Election Command Centre at the Ghana Police Service headquarters marked a significant step towards achieving this goal. The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration and coordination among security agencies to prevent electoral violence.
Dr.George Akuffo-Dampare,IGP
The AEI welcomes the Electoral Commission of Ghana’s directive that presidential ballots must be counted before parliamentary ballots at all polling stations after the close of polls. This measure will help ensure transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
The AEI extends its appreciation to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dampare, service commanders, and all personnel of the security services for their dedication to maintaining peace and order during the elections.
As emphasized during the meeting, the IGP serves as the sole Commander-in-Chief of the National Elections Security Task Force. Consequently, only authorized personnel from the Police, Immigration, Prisons, Customs, and Fire Service will provide security at polling stations on December 7, without lethal weapons.
In the event of a need for military intervention, the IGP, acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Elections Security Task Force, will authorize such action. This places a significant responsibility on the IGP to prevent electoral violence, as witnessed in the 2020 general elections notably in Techiman.
The AEI remains committed to supporting efforts that promote peaceful, free, and fair elections in Ghana.
End-
SIGNED
Joshua Adjin-Tettey
Director of Communications and External Relations
0540904550
Engr. Judge Hasford Quartey
Deputy Director of Communications and External Relations.
0547510174
Ex. WO1 Alhaji Yussif Mahamah
Electoral Security Department
0243311965
About Us:
African Electoral Institute ( AEI) is a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) founded to deliver sustainable electoral solutions to Emerging and Developed Democracies to strengthen, augment, and build electoral stakeholders capacity and participation on electoral issues through electoral education on voter’s rights and freedom, electoral research, election monitoring, election observation, election results collation, election security awareness and training of polling agents and elections directors underscoring the fact that “elections are won at the polling stations’’ and the participation of all identifiable electoral stakeholders in an electoral process such as Political Parties, Governmental Institutions, underpinning transparency and accountability for a free, fair, and credible elections in Africa and the wider world.
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Lindedin: African_Electoral_ Institute
Lawyer Justin Frimpong Kodua, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on security agencies to provide assurance that no individual or group will be above the law, regardless of political affiliation, during the December 7 elections.
Kodua expressed concerns about rumors and intelligence suggesting plans to cause chaos, particularly in the Ashanti region. He emphasized that violence should not play a role in the elections.
He sought clarification on the use of motorbikes at polling centers, citing past instances of chaos caused by motorbikes. Koduah cautioned media outlets to provide accurate information, warning that false reports could incite chaos.
Mr Frimpong expressed concerns about incidents of chaos and violence during previous by-elections, particularly in the party’s strongholds. He urged security agencies to address these concerns and ensure a violence-free election day.
Speaking at an election security task force engagement with the political parties at Police Headquarters in Accra, Mr Justin Frimpong Koduah emphasized that the party will respect the rule of law and due process.
The NPP General Secretary reiterated that elections should be peaceful, allowing citizens to express their choices without fear. He concluded by emphasizing that the ultimate winner of the elections should be Ghana, not a single political party.
The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has seized a 40-foot container at the Tema Port.
The container numbered MEDU4496951 was shipped from the United States.
Officials found 53 pistols, 74 magazines, and 65 live rounds of ammunition concealed in suitcases.
The shipment, which had been falsely declared as containing vehicles and personal effects, was intercepted on November 4, 2024, following thorough investigations by the GRA’s Intelligence and Preventive Units.
Commissioner of Customs, Brig Gen Zibrim Ayorrogo confirmed the development and stated, “Arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing to unravel the full details of the shipment and its intended recipients.”
Brigadier General Zibrim Ayorrogo, also warned that anyone who imports ammunition without the requisite license or permit is committing a crime and will be made to face the full extent of the law.
The agent and consignees who were arrested have been granted bail.
The Customs Division has assured the public of its commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s borders and preventing the illegal importation of arms and other contraband.Source: Myjoyonline.com
The Ghana Police Service says it is on a manhunt for the suspects who robbed a jewelry shop in Adabraka.
This comes after the Adabraka Market this morning was rocked by the daring incident.
According to JoyNews, the victim who was a customer of an Accra-based gold jeweller was robbed of more than GHs6 million.
Witnesses recounted that the robbers approached the vehicle with guns raised, instantly firing several warning shots into the air to scatter the crowd.
.Shoppers and vendors sought cover, crouching behind market stalls and fleeing as the sound of gunfire reverberated through the area.
The robbers forced their way into the Toyota and whisked away large sacks of cash.
Amid the firing of shots into the air, they swiftly loaded the bags into their getaway vehicle and fled the scene.
In a statement, the police assured that the perpetrators will be brought to book.
ACCRA, November 2, 2024 (GJA) – THIRTEEN journalists and media workers, as well as media houses in Ghana were attacked between January and October this year, according to data available to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
Sympathisers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) topped the list of perpetrators, having been involved in three out of the nine separate cases of attack recorded within the period.
Unknown assailants were also involved in three of the nine cases, with the Greater Accra Region recording the highest number of four cases.
The cases of attack included physical assault, gun-point attack, petrol bombing and cyber attack, all creating unsafe environment for media practice and grossly undermining media freedom.
The GJA particularly finds them chilling the gun-point attack on Erastus Asare Donkor of Joy FM and 2022 P.A.V. Ansah Journalist of the Year in October, by thugs working for Edelmetallum Mining Resources Limited; petrol bomb attack on Accra-based Class FM in April, and major cyber attack on The Fourth Estate, an accountability journalism platform of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) whose online platform was attacked and went down for a long period of time in May soon after publishing a three-part investigative story on corruption at the Ghana Scholarship Secretariat.
Sadly, none of the cases has been resolved, and in many instances, no arrest has been made and police investigations into the crimes have left much to be desired.
It is on the basis of this gloomy picture that the GJA, on the occasion of ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists’, demands greater commitment from all state actors to end such crimes against journalists and other media practitioners.
We demand justice for all these victims to soothe their pain, while urging law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators suffer the pain of incarceration that suit their heinous crimes.
In 2013, the United Nations, per General Assembly Resolution 68/163, declared November 2 as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, with the view to drawing the world’s attention to the impunity for crimes against journalists and the recognition of their safety, following the killing of two French journalists in Mali.
This year, the theme for the commemoration of the Day is: “Safety of journalists in crises and emergencies”.
The GJA believes the galamsey menace that has endangered the country’s water bodies and environment; the dark clouds surrounding parliamentary business that have occasioned open verbal attacks on media practitioners and houses, and the growing tension in the electioneering which has the tendency to undermine the peace of the country, all constitute emergencies that raise concerns about the safety of journalists in the discharge of their duty to inform the public about same.
We appeal to the Ghana Police Service to provide adequate security to journalists and other media practitioners covering these emergencies in the interest of the nation.
We also urge the general public to support the media in all circumstances, appreciating the fact that the media work in the utmost interest of the public.
Although November 2 is the designated date, the international commemoration of the Day this year, is scheduled for 6-7 November, 2024 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
It is under the auspices of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the African Union, as the world marks the 10th anniversary of the Day since it was first observed in 2014.
Hundreds of media actors across the world, including the GJA President, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, will converge at the African Union Headquarters to observe the Day.
Agbambilla Ziyerley Maxwell, lawyer of the Bawku Naaba says 15 people have lost their lives recently in the Bawku conflict.
On Sunday, October 27, 2024, a fresh attack happened when some assailants set up roadblocks in both Gbimsi and Walewale Town, stopping vehicles to identify potential targets.
At least, 8 persons died in the gruesome incident.
Agbambilla Ziyerley Maxwell
Speaking with Benjamin Akakpo on Joy News’ AM Show on Monday, October 28, 2024, Agbambilla said “For my information, we have currently lost a minimum of 15 people in Bawku and some are being slaughtered in Walewale”.
He added that, the Attorney-General should have swiftly issued another arrest warrant for Alhaji Seidu Abagre, who had been in exile since his installation as a rival chief in February 2023, but has returned to Bawku after a Kumasi High Court quashed his arrest warrant on October 17, 2024.
“We were told that the Attorney-General didn’t even put in a response so the Court had no choice but to revoke his (Alhaji Seidu Abagre’s) arrest warrant.”
He added that “The Attorney-General simply could have issued another arrest warrant but they didn’t do that,” he stressed, and blamed the Attorney-General for not doing the right thing hence the return of Alhaji Seidu.
Agbambilla said that the Bawku Naaba is not happy about the return of Alhaji Seidu Abagre.
