Minority Calls For The IGP’s Dismissal Over Electoral Violence

The Minority in Parliament has called for the immediate dismissal of Inspector-General of Police, James Oppong Boanuh over election-related deaths.

However, the Minority noted that the failure of James Oppong Boanuh to ensure the safety and security of the Ghanaian citizens warrants either a resignation or a dismissal.

According to Minority Spokesperson on Defence and Interior, James Agalga, prior to the elections, the IGP had been cautioned by the Minority Leader during a parliament session that as the Head of the National Election Task Force, he would be held accountable should things go awry during the elections.

“The IGP appeared before Parliament and assured us that he was the Chairman of the National Election Security Task Force.

“I recall vividly how the Minority and the indefatigable Haruna Iddrisu made it known to him that should anything go wrong, we are going to hold him responsible for any breeches.”

Meanwhile, during an interview with the press, Thursday, Mr Agalga admonished Mr James Boanuh to do the right thing – to resign as the Inspector General of Police.

He referred particularly to the shooting incident in the Techiman South constituency where 5 people are believed to have died when the Police shot live ammunition into the crowd in an attempt to disperse them.

The confusion in the Constituency is said to have erupted when supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) prevented the presiding officer from declaring the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah the winner.

“His men targetted at innocent citizens, unarmed civilians and fired at them. Five lives have been lost, if I were in his post, I would have done the honourable thing by resigning. And if he wouldn’t resign, he should be immediately dismissed,” he noted.

“How long would it take for them to fish out those members of our security be it police or soldiers who aimed at innocent and unarmed civilians and fired at them,” he quizzed.

“ NDC supporters who have been killed without provocation should be called to order. You won’t call this government to order but you are calling innocent citizens whose lives have been taken. That is the ultimate.”

The Interior Minister Ambrose Derry has, however, defended the security agencies and commended them for acting in accordance with the standard operating procedures.

Although investigations are still on-going, Mr Ambrose Derry is emphatic that apart from the killings in Techniman South, all others did not involve security operatives.

The Interior Minister also cautioned NDC supporters involved in demonstrations over the results of the December 7 elections that they will be dealt should they act contrary to the law in the course of their protests.

NDC supporters massed up at the EC’s premises, Thursday, burning tires, resulting in confrontations with the security agencies.