CPP erred in endorsing Ashaiman riot - Baako

Editor-in-Chief of the Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako Jnr. has condemned the Convention Peoples Party’s endorsement of Monday’s rioting at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region.

In Mr. Baako’s opinion, the CPP’s commendation of the violent demonstration by agitated youth over poor roads “amounts to constitutional lawlessness”.


Hundreds of the angry youth blocked major entry and exit routes to the Ashaiman Municipality of Accra, to draw attention to the deplorable condition of roads in the area.


They burnt tyres, seized the tollbooth at the Ashaiman end on the Tema-Accra motorway and reportedly made away with cash and other valuables belonging to officials manning the booths.


They also pelted the security officers with objects, as they attempted to fire tear gas to disperse them.


Barely 24 hours, the CPP issued a statement commending the youth for proving that “they also have blood running through their veins”.


The CPP in the said statement stressed: “By what took place at Ashaiman on June 24, 2013, the youth and good people of Ashaiman have proven critics wrong on the mistaken view of the docility of the Ghanaian. Like all other human beings they have proven without doubt that they also have blood running through their veins.

The CPP Youth League congratulates the people of Ashaiman and in principle endorses fully the content of their just demands. We maintain without equivocation that under the circumstance, it was the most rational thing to do”.


But speaking Saturday on Newsfile Kweku Baako, who was one-time a communications officer for the party, said endorsing an event that took place amidst violence, “can sow seeds of impunity” and encourage others in similar situations to replicate that action.


Mr. Baako noted, even though the youth have the right to publicly register their discontent, the medium they chose rather ought to be condemned.


“This is a law governed society…we have a Public Order Act,” which does not allow people to “spontaneously organize rioting, beating journalists and police officers”.


Gabby Asare Otchere- Darko of the Danquah Institute noted, a "certain measure of civil disobedience" is allowed.