Former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Professor Emmanuel Martey wants the government to review the country’s security structure.
In a statement issued Monday, February 4, the outspoken preacher calls for an urgent review of the leadership of the security sector “since events over the last year and the current event reflect a lack of tact and professionalism shown by most security chiefs and security-related ministers.”
“I call on the President of the nation to act swiftly to end all acts of vigilantism in this country. I want to believe that the President’s support for a speedy investigation into this matter will lead to a conclusive investigation so that the perpetrators of this crime will be punished,” the statement said.
The outspoken religious leader who has stayed out of the public’s eye leaving office as Presby Moderator has joined the scores of elder statesmen and women to condemn the violence that marred last Thursday’s parliamentary by-election in the Ayawso West Wuogon Constituency of Accra.
Some masked men purportedly from the National Security Council (NSC) attacked supporters of the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Delali Kwasi Brempong in his residence and fired shots injuring at least six of them.
The Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Samuel George Nartey, was also physically assaulted by the said officers whom the Ghana Police Service says are unknown to them.
The opposition party subsequently announced their withdrawal from the polls and directed agents to leave all voting centres.
The Rev. Prof. Martey notes in the statement that: “The violence and insecurity that day ridicule the democratic credentials of this Nation and I am still shocked at the presence of masked heavily-built men under the guise of National Security at some polling stations. The participation of these men at the by-election was unnecessary and no amount of security explanation can justify such a cruel and monstrous display of security.”
“Are we ridiculing the rule of law in this Country? How could Members of Parliament—also leaders of this Country—be assaulted for no crime committed and guns shot in private house on an election day to disrupt voting at the La Bawaleshie Presbyterian Polling Station near the house where the guns were fired? When good people keep quiet, evil people take over.
“Enough is enough! We are not in a jungle state. I join many Ghanaians in totally condemning this barbaric act of violence which has dented our democratic credentials as a nation.
“Experience has demonstrated that investigations into such wicked and dastardly acts never see the light of day due to political interference and many people, including myself, have little faith in the current criminal investigation system to do any good job. Security in this country has been too politicised. Those in security must not be controlled by political parties,” the statement added.
