The Upper East Regional Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described as unfortunate, the alleged harassment of some residents by security personnel deployed to provide security during President Nana Akufo-Addo’s tour of the region.
The group accused the security officers, military and police, of deliberately destroying placards and dispersing residents of Navrongo who wanted to remind the government of some unfulfilled promises made to them.
The placards had inscriptions such as “where are our dams”, “where is our One Million-One Constituency dollars”, “Free Gregory Afoko now”, the “state of insecurity,” among others.
Speaking at a press conference in Zuarungu in the Bolga East district, NDC Navrongo Central constituency Youth Organizer, Prosper Adongo described the alleged actions of the security men as alien to the democracy of the country.
He further admonished them to be impartial in the line of duty, reminding them of the consequences of partisan security protection of the citizenry.
“It would interest you to know that, the only crime of these innocent citizens of Navrongo was the carrying of placards reminding the president of the promise he made to them. We have in our custody a video footage on how some military men attacked these civilians and ceased their placards. Is this the democracy we voted for?”
We are tired of the military intimidation. Enough is enough, allow us to enjoy our constitutional mandate as citizens and not spectators.”
Mr. Adongo said it took the intervention of the Bureau of National Investigations in Navrongo to calm the situation.
“In entrusting our security into their care, they should be mindful of the consequences of being partisan in providing us secured lives. We would be left with no option of taking the law into our hands if the security agencies, mandated by our constitution fails to protect us fairly,” he added.
NPP debunks allegations
Reacting to the issue, NPP Navrongo Central Constituency Secretary, Moses Amoah, said, the security officers were called to disperse the protesters, who were known NDC activists, to avert any possible clash with other NPP youth groups.
He debunked allegations that, the protesters were harassed and brutalized by the military officers, stating that, the officers only confiscated the placards and asked the protestors to go back home.
“The guys the military seized their placards are known NDC members who had gathered at their former NDC Chairman’s house Alhaji Baba just a stone throw to the forecourt where the program was to take place to protest against the president when he arrives at Navrongo.”
“So, we got wind of the information and signalled the military to stop their actions and move them away from the place but they would not barge. So, the military had to confiscate their placards and disperse them.”
“If the military had allowed these NDC guys to do what they wanted to do and then the NPP guys had also come out to counter them, it would have led to a possible clash which would have been unfortunate. If they were ordinary citizens of Navrongo, who wanted to protest against the president, no nobody would have a problem with them but these are NDC guys who obviously wanted to cause confusion and to mar the event, which the security agencies did not take kind to”.
SOURCE: citinewsroom.com
