A former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev Prof Emmanuel Martey, has described as “cruel” and “monstrous” the violence that occurred at the La-Bawaleshie electoral area during last Thursday's Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.
Many civil society organisations and individuals have been condemning the act which led to the injury of some NDC members. They have also condemned the use of fear and intimidation tactics by national security operatives looking fierce in police protection balaclavas.
Wading into this unfortunate incident, Rev. Martey was of the view that the violence and attacks have ridiculed the 'democratic credentials' the country is noted for.
In a statement he said: "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".
Below is the full statement:
A PRESS RELEASE
On my handing over as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, I decided not to continue speaking on national issues as I was frequently doing while in office. This practice, I believe, is to allow and give the incumbent Moderator the full space to represent the church’s views on issues of national development and democratic values.
I have always believed that leadership is like a relay race, and when one gets the baton one runs as fast as one could until he hands over the baton to another person. As soon as he hands over the baton, he then stops running and continues to cheer to victory. That is why I have restricted myself, since handing over as Moderator of the oldest and continuously existing church in this country, in actively speaking in public functions where my views on national issues may be sought.
However, I have to painfully depart from this stance because of the unfortunate and violent attacks that occurred at the by-election at the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency. 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.
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.
There is the urgent need to assess the current security structure and leadership in 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.
We must protect the stability of this country with patriotism and employ modern approaches to security and, I daresay, that if the current evil trend of party vigilantism is not axed, the nation will greatly suffer from the activities of these bullish deviants, employed by some political parties.
All Ghanaians must not be complacent, especially those who have been given the mandate to govern; and we must not take any peaceful atmosphere in the country for granted. This country is ours! Such a lawless act must never happen again to destroy our country. God bless Ghana.
REV. PROF. EMMANUEL MARTEY
(Former Moderator, Presbyterian Church of Ghana)
Dated: 4th February 2019.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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Oh They are coming out from their caves as embarrassing as it is to them. @CMC we all know who those masked men are. Just live in denial and if the country is set on fire, we will all see. Akuffo Addo will pack to a safe place and leave you and your family members to fight. This unflinching support for politicians should stop.
These so called men of God are so backward. Modern day special forces wear masks. It is to protect them & their families against repraisals from citizens. The authorities received intelligence of intended disturbance so they sent appropriate forces so people should stop talking about the masked men as if this is out of place.
WE ALL DON,T KNOW WHAT WE ARE PLAYING ABOUT.. GOD SHOULD FORGIVE US .. IF WE KNOW HOW LIBERIANS HAS REGRET OF DESTROYING THEIR COUNTRY AND THEMSELVES WE WILL NOT START THIS STUPIDD THING WE ARE DOING . I CAN SEE CLEARLY THAT WE GHANAIANS DON,T APPRECIATE THE PEACE AND FREEDOM GOD HAS GIVEN TO US .. ALTHOUGH I AM AN NPP MEMBER I DON,T LIKE WHAT IS GOING ON, BOTH NDC AND NPP SHOULD FIND WAYS AND MEANS TO STOP THIS VIOLENCE
WELL SAID.
THIS MAN/PROFESSOR MAKES ME THINK THAT WE STILL HAVE SOME FEW CHRISTIANS IN GHANA WITH WHOM JESUS CHRIST STILL HAS SOME GLIMP OF HOPE FOR SOME REAL SOULS. I TOUGHT CHRISTIANITY IN GHANA HAD NO WINGS TO FLY ANYMORE. WITH THIS MAN I THINK I CAN REPENT AND FORGIVE MY ATTACKER. WISDOM ALL THROUGHOUT HIS MESSAGE. A UNIFYER. I WISH I WAS PART OF HIS FAMILY
animals like comparing bad situations. if something was bad yesterday and was condemmned should we be proud to repeated that? Be reasonable Kaku and not being an ***barred word*** right?
Some of these things have happened at Akwatia, Chereponi and Talensi some few years back. The talk on them were few and for a day or two in all cases. Why? Because they were far removed from Accra and the big men in Accra were not directly affected. Now that something has happened in Accra, very close to the door steps of the big big men in Accra, the talk has intensified and sustained. It seems evrybody wanst to say something at all cost. I think the solution is a national conference and signing of resolutions to let peace reign. It seems, people who call themselves politicians in this country feel so arrogant and disrespectful to the rest of us, they can do or say anything and go scot-free. Where is the conscience of this nation?