Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency and minority Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has asked the government to immediately withdraw the heavy military presence in the Volta region.
He says it is rather unfortunate for the government to intimidate citizens with such heavy military presence all in the name of preventing foreigners from taking part in the voter registration exercise.
Speaking on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he noted that residents have become traumatized and are unable to go about their normal duties.
He said there are Ghanaians who move in and out of the country to conduct their daily business activities in Togo so how then are they described as foreigners.
"This is sickening and it does speak well of us as a Democratic country. Parliament has not even been informed about this operation. So how then do you go about to deploy the military to engage in activities that are meant for the Immigration Service?"
K T Hammond's statement
Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Hon. K.T Hammond, while explaining the reason why some military personnel have been deployed to the Volta Region ahead of the voter registration exercise, made an analogy of how some foreign nationals from neighbouring Togo had participated in the election re-run of the 2008 general elections as Ghanaians in Ketu South Constituency.
He justified the military presence, saying it was to check the seeming influx of foreigners onto Ghana’s electoral roll.
“The military is there to make sure you vote if you are a Ghanaian and if you have the constitutional right to vote. That’s all there is. They are not electoral officers, but they are peacekeeping forces. They are keeping the peace. They [Togolese] walk into the [Volta Region] and come out normally but they are not Ghanaians. When they walk in there they can do whatever they do so I guess that is the reason for that,” he said.
NDC gives government 1 day ultimatum
The Minority NDC in Parliament has meanwhile given a day’s ultimatum to government to withdraw military personnel from Ketu South in the Volta Region.
Emmanuel Bedzrah, Chairman of the Volta Regional Caucus addressing a press conference in Aflao Monday, stressed that the troops must be recalled to their barracks immediately.
“There is no war between Ghana and Togo,” Mr Bedzrah said, adding there is no need for an increased security presence in the area.
Rawlings says military deployment is generating animosity
In a related development, former President Jerry John Rawlings thinks that the presence of the military and other security agencies in some parts of the Volta and Oti Regions is generating animosity especially amongst border dwellers whose livelihood solely depend on activities along the border.
According to him, the Covid-19 restrictions have already created enough difficulties for “most of our citizens” and that such difficulties should not be compounded.
A statement issued by Kobina Andoh Amoakwa of the Communications Directorate of the former President's office said: “Let us not make it worse with overbearing and intimidating behaviour towards our border dwellers whose livelihood solely depend on activities along the border.”
Mr Rawlings said, “Ahead of the voter registration exercise and the December elections, it is important that we demonstrate a sense of fairness and justice to all individuals and groups of people whilst maintaining the integrity and the sanctity of the process.”
Former President Rawlings’ statement followed complaints by many residents of border towns in the Volta and Oti Regions over the deployment of some security personnel, particularly military personnel in the area.
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Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]
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Whatever will be will be...... Que cera Que cera!!! When in power you practice the "famanyame" type of governance...... Now the wicked is in power and is perpetrating their evil intentions...... If God permits and you get back power, come and behave like you guys are next to the pope!!! You can chose to do anything when in power and no one can do "foko"..... When you win power again, go developing their regions at the expense of your world bank thinking the world bank will always be there, so try and win the "enemy" zones over...... Pray the table turns and these people are doing everything by all means "fair & foul" means whichever works to ensure the oppositions is annihilated per their own words.....
THERE'S TOO MUCH SELFISH AND HYPOCRISY IN THIS COUNTRY. AS A COUNTRY WE NEED TIGHTEN OUR BORDERS SO THAT UNKNOWN FOREIGNERS WILL NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW VOTERS REGISTRATION EXERCISE TO ILLEGALLY COME INTO THIS COUNTRY. IF YOU HAVE NO BAD INTENTIONS WHY DO YOU AFRAID OF MILITARY DEPLOYMENT TO THOSE AREAS? PLS YOUR ARGUMENT HAS FELL FLAT.
Go and order you children around and not the current government. We shall be very disappointed in the government if it heeds to the demands of these parliamentarians. This is a completely selfish, self-seeking, inward looking and egoistic agenda by these parliamentarians. Did Ashantis burn down the country in 2016 when soldiers were deployed to intimidate Ashantis who obviously were determined more than ever to express themselves through voting? Did the NPP parliamentarians grant interviews and organise press conferences to call for action against the military and the then government. Let me applaud the then NPP parliamentarians who exhibited maturity and altruistic qualities putting the country first ahead of bigotry in the wake of intimidation. It is sad that it is only now that the slumbering folks have awoken to realise that the stone that was thrown at the wall has come back to hit them hard. Let them go ahead and burn Ghana. They should not forget that they will come back in future to seek power from people of other tribes. This is really disgusting.
If the border is closed, then it is illegal for them to go to Togo for business activities on daily basis as Ablakwa is trying to argue in support of withdrawal. Respect Ghanaians, Ablakwa. Ghanaians must choose choose their leaders.
E tu Rawlings? Are you also joining the bandwagon? Do you trust the 'babies with sharp teeth'? I think you should be in a better position to situate what they are complaining about. Pls try and calm tempers and allow the Security Agents to do their work. You don't want outsiders to once again get their names onto our register to warrant us spending money again to make another register in no time. Come again Mr President!
You people (NDC) have disgrace yourselves to the highest order and disrespected all Ghanaians to the extent that you have emotionally and mentally abused us and you must be dealt with for the lies you've propagated about Military soldiers been deployed. I'm shocked that you will stoop so low to be used by clueless individuals to make your party a laughing stock in front of the whole world. Virtually every single plan you have hatched since the NPP came into office to create disaffectionate against Nana Addo has failed and wonder for how long will you continue this path instead of integrity. Listening to the Minister today explaining the reasons just got me angrier at NDC. So you have all the time in the world to organise press conference and make false allegations but will not use that platform to share your vision and policies in the upcoming elections that will better my quality of life. I'm not asking you to go to the moon, nor I'm asking you to find the cure for covid, I'm just asking that since you want me to give you power to lead over me, what are your visions and policies that will convince me to pay attention to you besides these ***barred word*** games you are playing.? Well since you have none, there is no need for me to waste my time on you anymore. Enjoy your incompetence in your now and infinite future position in opposition.
So that you will import registrants, no way! The security will not be removed, do your worse.
Papa J, we salute you. You cant trust your NDC ...... Dont worry your heart at all. Everything will be ok. This thing shall surely pass.