The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, has criticised the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare for what he refers to as the IGP’s incapacity to provide adequate security for the Electoral Commission (EC) to complete collation of the Ablekuma North parliamentary results.
His remarks follow a statement by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, who suggested that the NPP would stage a protest if the EC fails to declare the seat for the party’s candidate, Akua Afriyie.
In an interview with Eno Safo on CNR on Thursday, February 6, he questioned the IGP’s failure to provide security despite the EC’s request, backed by a High Court ruling.
He noted that the government also has a role to play in security provision but has failed to do so.
“The EC is saying that IGP based on the High Court ruling, please provide security. Why is the IGP not doing it? The EC in addition to what the court has directed has called on the government led by H.E John Dramani Mahama. Those who said they didn’t want electoral violence when they were in opposition. They can’t hear the call from the EC. That is the problem, not Hon. Annoh-Dompreh, in my humble opinion, That is not the issue,” he stated.
Ahiagbah posited that a collective call by citizens and stakeholders will compel the IGP to take action and provide security to facilitate the counting process.
“Maybe we should let the IGP know that he must work. I don’t know his incapacitation, where it comes from that he can’t act, virtually he is lost. You can’t see the IGP. I don’t know what is happening to him. Provide security so they can count. We are not asking to go to war. Provide security,” he stated.
He further criticised the Ghana Police Service’s failure to orchestrate a counterattack at the EC Regional Office when they claimed they had picked intelligence that there would be an attack during the EC’s recent attempt to complete the collation process.
