Catholic Bishops says Delta Force's action discredits Ghana

The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) has condemned the attack on the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Circuit Court by some members of the Delta Force, a political vigilante group, describing the act as lawlessness that only goes to discredit the country’s hard-won democratic credentials.

The bishops said they had noted with dismay the disregard for the rule of law exhibited by the vigilante group.

In a statement signed by the President of the GCBC, the Most Rev. Philip Naameh, the bishops, however, commended the Minister of the Interior, Mr Ambrose Dery, and the Inspector-General Police (IGP), Mr David Asante-Apeatu, for their prompt response to the incident and for committing to deal with any person or group that broke the law, irrespective of its political affiliation.

They urged the two not to relent in their efforts to bring the perpetrators to book. 

Deterrent 

“This we believe will serve as a deterrent to the public and send a clear signal to such other vigilante groups which believe they can act with impunity to disrespect the laws of our land.

“We reiterate our earlier call on the appropriate security agencies to enforce the laws of the land and ensure the safety of life and property of Ghanaians. 

“We hope that the security agencies will intensify their work of intelligence gathering to be able to act promptly to avert such incidents in the future,” they said. 

The bishops also called on all Ghanaians to be law-abiding and never take for granted the peace and stability the country was currently enjoying.

Background

On March 14, 2017, some members of the Delta Force stormed the office of the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Mr George Adjei, and threw him out of the office.

They claimed that Mr Adjei was not part of those who had worked in the trenches in the region for the NPP to secure a resounding victory and, therefore, he could not be made the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator.

Armed policemen intervened and rescued Mr Adjei, amid threats from the members of the Delta Force.

In all, 13 members of the group were arrested and put before court. They were remanded and brought to court last Thursday.

The presiding judge, Mrs Mary Nsenkyire, remanded the 13 in prison custody to reappear on April 20, 2017, but that incurred the displeasure of some members of the Delta Force, who ‘invaded’ the court to set the 13 free.