Order National Security to disband its armed forces - NDC appeals to Akufo-Addo

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) wants President Nana Akufo-Addo to direct the National Security Council to stop deploying its armed men.

The party urged the President to also direct both Ministers of Interior and National Security to take steps to disband such forces deployed during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.

This according to the party will be in the interest of the public.

“We…note that Your Excellency, as chair of the National Security Council, can demand that it ceases the unlawful organisation and deployment of armed forces such as those we saw in the Ayawaso West Wuogon By-Election. And, of course, Your Excellency can also instruct your ministerial appointees at the Ministries for National Security and Interior to take steps to disband these forces,” the NDC stated in a letter addressed to the President.

The letter dated March 21, 2019, was in response to several letters the NDC and President Akufo-Add have exchanged in a bid to set the ground rules for an impending dialogue on disbanding political vigilantism.

President Akufo-Addo earlier directed the NDC and NPP to dialogue in order to disband such groups aligned to both parties or he will be forced to pass a legislation to address the issue.

After several letters, the NPP and NDC have agreed to meet but are yet to schedule a date for the dialogue.

The NDC in its letter urged President Akufo-Addo to “remain supportive” of the engagements.

National Chairman of the NDC, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo who signed the letter also suggested a theme for the dialogue.

“Our thinking has evolved and clarified considerably in the last month. We now define the process we have suggested as a National Dialogue on Constitutionalism and Non-Violent Social Engagement,” he added.

Nana Addo instructs AG to prepare legislation against vigilantism

President Akufo-Addo last week directed the Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo to be on standby to lay before Parliament a legislation to disband all forms of political party vigilante groups in the country.

He said the Attorney General, as part of the legislation, is expected to provide the necessary sanctions against the occurrence of party vigilantism.

“…I have in line with my pronouncement to Parliament during the Message of the State of the Nation on 21st February, 2019 instructed the Attorney General, without prejudice to the outcome of the engagement, in any, between the NPP and the NDC to prepare and submit to Parliament , as soon as possible, specific legislation to deal with the phenomenon of vigilantism, and provide appropriate sanctions against its occurrence,” he stated.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) subsequently wrote to the opposition NDC inviting it to a meeting to dialogue over the issue.

The NPP also agreed on the NDC’s request to involve other stakeholders in the engagements.

In response, the NDC said: “it remains committed to pursuing the discussion…in the interest of national peace and prosperity.”

By: Nii Larte Lartey | citinewsroom.com|Ghana |[email protected]

Source: citifmonline.com