The managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr says the major reason why mob action is increasing in the country is the ‘lack of faith in state institutions’.
“What we are discussing is a national security situation; it’s a major challenge for national cohesion, a functioning state. What we are discussing is a sliding into a banana republic…what we are talking about is impunity; the lack of faith in our security establishment. The refusal of state actors to punish crime, that’s what we are talking about…and we should focus attention on that in order to deal with the problem
…we’ve had a situation where the ECG office has been attacked and vandalised by persons who claim to have grievances against ECG. They did not go to the police, they did not go to the court, they simply attacked the ECG and burnt the office…it should be telling us something. The fundamental question in all of this is; why is it that citizen feel or have been made to feel that when they have grievances, recourse to state institutions will not address those grievances and that they would have to address those grievances themselves?” he rhetorically asked.
Kwesi Pratt, who was commenting on the lynching of Captain Maxwell Mahama, said during a panel discussion on Radio Gold’s Alhaji and Alhaji that if soldiers are not having confidence in the police to do its work, how much more civilians.
“The soldiers say they have no confidence in the police and that they should be allowed to handle a case of alleged murder; how different is that from all the other people who are refusing to go to the police? How come foreign mining companies come to operate in our country and our security services decide that detachment of our armed forces should go and protect them; protect them against whom? What is the role of the army; is the role of the army to protect us or the foreign multinational companies who are wreaking havoc in our communities? Why send an innocent fine officer to go and protect one of these foreign companies? Why? I don’t understand. That is why I am in full sympathy with the soldiers who are saying that from now on they should not be involved in those operations. The soldiers that are saying they should not be involved in such operations are saying something that we ought to listen to,” he said.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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Blame the Media..When it was a captain look at the way they are making report from every angle but if it was to be an ordinary Ghanaian what happens? No media telecast and no condemnation from public institution to fight this canker. Mahama thanks for being an hero to the poor who were not given Justice against similar acts.. If the poor man have been protected against mob justice like this would not have happened to our dear brother ..It a lesson to all Ghanaian s what can happen to your brother can happen to anyone irrespective of your position..JusticeForAll
I have never agree with Kwasi Peat for some years, but your last pararph is 100% clear WHY WHY SOLDIERS PROTECTING GOLD MINING?
Sometimes you wonder if some have DDT & not blood flowing through their brain cells. The question itself coming from Pratt shows his level of IQ. Having said that has it ever crossed folks mind that because his name was Mahama & knowing he was the Ex president relative some were burnt on doing the unthinkable to him? You want to cross every T & add lies to make his death sensible to those screaming hypocrites. The Country is sick & hiding behind Christian nation label. Lord have mercy.
Sad story. Valid question but would you describe an Officer who was to be promoted to the rank of Major an innocent Officer. What category of Officers have been leading similar exercises?. I understand he was previously leading men to foreign peace keeping duties, was he innocent for such duties?....the story is a sad one so don't raise any politics now...these issues started in the previous administration but you have found your voice now....
GOT A FEELING that Mahama and his Northern Ministers were trying very hard to destroy the south of ghana.Minister of MINES and natural resources hon.Ayariga. minister of defence hon Kunbour, national security Baba Kamara and the rest.By the way all these guys went to school for free paid for by the good people of the south,the land was forcibly taken by the Government and given to Chinese the Russians and others,and they destroyed the farms of the villagers and polluted their rivers and Mahama sent in the Army who prevented the villagers from going to their farms'now guess who is responsible for this.
MINISTER IN CHARGE OF DEFENSE SHOULD BE FIRED. HE IS INEFFICIENT. WHY WOULD THE STATE PROTECT ILLEGAL/LEGAL MULTINATIONAL MINERS? YOU HAVE ONE SIDE OF THE STATE WHO CLAIMS TO FIGHTING ILLEGAL MINERS AND ANOTHER SIDE PROTECTING ILLEGAL/LEGAL MULTINATIONAL MINERS. HOW? THIS IS WRONG POLICY. WHOLE LOTS OF THINGS WILL COME OUT. DEFENSE MINISTER SHOULD BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY. HE IS INEFFICIENT.
At least for once I agree with Kwesi Pratt. That is why I keep saying that what the DCE said should not be rubbished entirely though he could have put it in a better way in order not to hurt people's feelings. Nevertheless Kwesi Pratt is part of the problem. All these things were happening during the time of John Mahama yet he kept defending the Mahama Administration. One of the most annoying things is to hear an NDC person talk as if these institutional weakness started in Nana Addo's time. It is so annoying. Even in this case he was cleverly trying to make it look as if the military started protecting these mining companies during Nana Addo's Administration meanwhile this arrangement between the military and the mining companies started about a year ago. Who was in power then? Was it not John Mahama? Why didn't Kwasi complain during that time? Some Ghanaians and Hypocrisy. Chaii
Mr.Pratt this time what you are saying is correct,why should our Armed Forces be forced to protect foreign companies.The President as a matter of urgency should set up a commision of inquiry to find out why the ARMY is been used to guard these foreign firms,who sign the contract,how much are the soldiers been paid,what percentage goes to the Army and Government,hoW long have they been\protecting this company.what about other companies.The people need to know those who are benefiting from this arrangements,REST IN PEACE CAPTAIN MAHAMA.
Ghana, we are all guilty. this is how we do things.
is so sad.i agree with you mr. p.