National Security Minister Albert Kan Dapaah has told parliament that some people are creating a false sense of insecurity in Ghana ahead of the 7 December 2020 polls.
“There seems to be a deliberate attempt by certain individuals to create a false notion of rising insecurity in the country. The facts, however, ran counter to this false notion. For instance, evidence suggests a reduction in crime levels in the country”, he said on Thursday, 5 November 2020 when he briefed the house about security preparations ahead of the polls.
Mr Kan Dapaah also assured Ghanaians that the country’s security agencies are prepared and ready to ensure a violence-free election and beyond.
He, however, noted that to maintain the peace of the country, the citizens must help by providing relevant information about any threats to the nation.
Mr Kan Dapaah stated: “The national election security taskforce is ready, they’re ready to provide adequate security against potential electoral violence and all other acts of lawlessness. In the end, Ghana shall emerge victorious.”
He continued: “Despite the politicisation of issues of national security, which, unfortunately, has the potential to undermine efforts of state security agencies, we believe state security actors have remained resolute in ensuring a secured environment for all Ghanaians.
He said “it behoves the ordinary citizen to play their part by providing information to assist in confronting all threats to security in this country,” adding: “Ghanaians must deviate from all forms of divisive and hate speeches, which can endanger the peace and also the security of the country.”
For his part, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu his side of the house is committed to the peace of the country before, during and after the polls.
He said: “Mr Speaker, we will take the words of the honourable minister of national security. It is reassuring and to assure him of our avowed commitment to the unity, the peace and the stability of the country”.
“We should work together”.
“I foresee a Ghana where, tomorrow, the conduct of elections should pass like a natural course, like childbirth, no threat of maternal mortality but just a normal transition…”
According to him, Ghana’s success against COVID-19 has been partly due to collaborative efforts of the security agencies.
“It is also important to state that Ghana’s commendable management of the COVID-19 pandemic was possible due to the effectiveness of the security coordination implemented by the state security architecture”, adding: “This false notion of insecurity stems from the deliberate politicisation of issues of national security in the country and I think it has become more pronounced as we approach the 2020 polls.”
Meanwhile, the Ranking Member on the Defence and Interior Committee, James Agalga said the violence that took place during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election must not recur.
“Government on its part has given the assurances that measures have been rolled out to guarantee the safety of and peace of this country before, during, and after the 2020 polls. The country has had the experience of going through successive elections from 1992 but events leading to the conduct of the recent bye-elections in Ayawaso West Wuogon actually makes us feel jittery about prospects for peace in the upcoming elections.”