Mahama appeals for calm, condemns attacks on public property

The President-elect, Mr John Dramani Mahama, has appealed for calm and restraint following reports of violence and lawlessness in certain parts of the country.

In a live broadcast last night, Mr Mahama condemned the reported attacks on public facilities and installations, and urged citizens to remain calm and avoid actions that could harm Ghana's institutions and democracy.

"Transitions from one administration to another create the impression of a vacuum in power, and certain people act in their own parochial interest instead of the national interest," Mr Mahama said.

He reiterated his call for the youth not to vent their frustrations through criminal enterprises but instead, channel their anger and frustration into positive efforts to rebuild the nation.

Decisive action

Mr Mahama further called on the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the security agencies to deal decisively with the matter of aggression and vandalisation of state property by some members of the public.

"Because state power is still in the hands of the present administration, I call on the President and security agencies to act decisively to curb the ongoing acts of lawlessness immediately," Mr Mahama said.

Re-election

Mr Mahama's address comes after his historic re-election in the 2024 presidential election.

He pledged to work towards a Ghana that would work for everybody, not just a few, and to restore trust between the government and the people.

Reports of vandalism, looting and attempts to take over state facilities have occurred since last Monday, following the Saturday, December 7, 2024 elections.

Observers have linked some of the incidents to politics.

Addressing the media in Accra last Monday, the National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress, Sammy Gyamfi, advised the party’s faithful to desist from such acts, warning that non-political miscreants could take advantage to perpetrate crime.

Military warns

Meanwhile, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has raised concerns over recent attempts by the public to disarm military personnel deployed on authorised duty to support the Ghana Police Service in maintaining law and order nationwide.

The GAF has consequently cautioned the public against such actions, emphasising that military personnel had the right to protect themselves, innocent civilians and property. 

Statement

“GAF wishes to caution all and sundry that military personnel on authorised duty have the right to defend themselves, innocent civilians and property, including the use of lethal force, if necessary to preserve life,” the Director-General of Public Relations of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, said in a statement issued yesterday.

The statement further encouraged all Ghanaians to exercise their civic rights responsibly and to cooperate with security personnel to avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability of the nation.

Reiterating its commitment to safeguarding the stability and sovereignty of the nation, the Ghana Armed Forces called on citizens to refrain from acts that threatened the country’s security.

Context

The Ghana Armed Forces was deployed in limited numbers as part of the national elections security arrangement for last Saturday’s general election.