Gbese Mantse and Adonte of the Ga State, Nii Okaija III, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), John Kudalor, to clamp down on activities of vigilante groups within the various political parties in the country.
The Ga chief insisted that the activities of such groupings were illegal; stressing that this is a wake-up call to the security agencies to ward off any election-related violence in today’s polls.
At a press conference in Accra yesterday, Nii Okaija III stressed the need for the IGP to spare no one, who creates chaos before, during and after the polls.
“No matter which political divide you come from, if you breach the law the police must use the full rigours of the law at their disposal to deal with you,” he stated.
He continued: “The last election held in Talensi saw the manifestation of political violence by vigilantes, which calls for a consistent engagement with the youth of the various parties to ensure a peaceful election.
“I am urging the IGP to go further beyond speaking to political parties and adopt a more proactive force of policing the polls,” he submitted.
He also cautioned the media to be fair and balanced in their reportage.
Furthermore, Nii Okaidja III called on the various traditional councils, international association of youth, Judges, Magistrates, Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association to ensure that Ghana remains peaceful.
“Of course we need peace before the election; during the election and after the election but we must remember that there is a four-year intermittent period between elections,” Nii Okaidja III said.
According to him, during this period disputes occur, noting that some people take up arms to enstool individuals who are not entitled or fit to become chiefs.
He mentioned that others who have forced themselves onto such positions continue to hold on to their new-found power in total disregard to court judgments against them.
Most of these people, he said, hide behind some power-drunk politicians for their selfish interests which ultimately contribute to the detriment of the general populace.
“The pre-requisite for peace is to abide by the laws of the land; do the right thing,” Nii Okaidja III advised.
“You cannot be clamouring for peace when at the same time you are seen mingling and cutting sods with those who disregard peace and disrespect the law,” he intimated.
The Gbese Mantse continued to give instances of the invasion of his palace; threats to his life; attacks with cutlasses on his supporters; his life-sized banner stolen by known thugs who get protection from some ministers of the state.
“The invasion of the Ga Traditional Council with AK47s was the last straw. We now know where the weapons came from and the law will catch up with everyone involved. We must not allow ourselves to be divided by falsehood and greed. Let us have a peaceful election,” he noted.
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