Government berates NPP for “malicious and wicked allegations”
Government has rubbished as ‘puerile’, ‘false and malicious’, accusations by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that its presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo was the target of a wicked plot by President Mahama and his government.
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A statement issued by the Minister of Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah said the allegations, offered as the motive behind NPP’s importation of three South African ex-policemen to train the party’s security around Nana Addo, only amount to a “sterile attempt” by the NPP to extricate itself from the potentially nation-wrecking manoeuvre through wicked-dark lies.
The three — Major Ahmed Shaik Hazis (retd), 54; Warrant Officer Denver Dwayhe, 33, and Captain Mlungiseli Jokani, 45 — were arrested at the EL-Capitano Hotel at Duakwa in the Central Region where they had been based since arriving in Ghana to train the NPP operatives.
They had since been in the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations. They were each admitted to bail of GhȻ20,000 with one surety on Thursday by the Accra Circuit Court, however they remain in the custody of the BNI for what their lawyers describe as sheer “impunity”.
On Thursday the NPP held a press conference, addressed by its Acting National Chairman, Mr. Freddie Blay, who said the ex-policemen were brought in as a result of credible intelligence that the government was plotting to harm its flagbearer and his vice.
But according to Dr. Omane Boamah, that explanation is only the latest in a chain of flimsy excuses by the NPP to deflect the load of castigations coming their way.
Below is the full statement issued by the government.
NPP's MALICIOUS AND WICKED ALLEGATIONS TO JUSTIFY THE UNTHINKABLE
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Government has learnt of a press conference organised by the New Patriotic Party at which its Acting National Chairman, Freddie Blay alleged that the three South Africans and two Ghanaians arrested for activities deemed prejudicial to the security of the country were brought in, in response to an NDC-government plot to attack their presidential and vice presidential candidates.
Without prejudice to the outcome of investigations and legal processes, we wish to state as follows;
1. The claim made by Freddie Blay defies comprehension. It is both false and malicious.
This is the most puerile defence ever attempted in a serious matter as this one.
We note that since news broke of the arrest of the individuals, the NPP has rendered rumbling and incoherent responses in a bid to escape the widespread condemnation and public opprobrium they have suffered. This wicked lie however is the most ridiculous yet and only reflects the desperation arising out of lack of leadership that has beset the NPP.
The NPP has demonstrated over the years that it prefers violence and chaos as means of addressing disputes even within their party. This has been on display over the past few years.
Leading functionaries of the NPP including their flagbearer are also on record to have made incendiary statements seeking to incite violence for purposes of attaining political power. Mr Akufo-Addo's call for his party youth to resort to violence in his infamous "all die be die" war cry is a case in point and is not lost on Ghanaians.
President John Mahama has a proven track record of peaceful conduct and never in his political life has he encouraged violence in contrast to Mr Akufo-Addo.
The sterile attempt therefore, by the NPP to extricate itself from this potentially nation-wrecking manoeuvre through wicked-dark lies has failed.
Government is not and will never be afflicted by the intractable disease of 'hankering-after-violence'.
2. Government reiterates its commitment to taking all necessary steps to ensure the security of our people and borders and commends the country's security agencies for their vigilance and swift action which led to the apprehension of these individuals.
We note that months before this incident they had also arrested persons transporting or possessing substantial caches of ammunition in Kumasi and Aflao. We will continue to extend the necessary assistance to the security agencies to enable them carry out their functions in a more efficient and effective manner.
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3. We are also encouraged by the profuse and widespread expression of national revulsion and outrage at these attempts by the NPP to undermine our collective peace and security.
We wish all Ghanaians happy Easter and urge them to exercise restraint and caution during the period in order to avert any excesses.
Signed:
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS EDWARD K. OMANE BOAMAH (DR.) (Minister)