Dec polls: Banning keep fits ‘lazy’ policing - Karbo

It is “an affront on people’s constitutional rights,” for the Ghana Police Service to even entertain the possibility of banning Keep Fit events organised by political parties, a Deputy Communications Director of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said.

“Nobody can stop our constitutional rights. … How is Keep Fit a threat to our security? Corruption is a major threat to our security,” Mr Karbo said in an interview with Kwame Dwomoh-Agyemang on 12Live on Monday, 21 November in response to a hint dropped by the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Supt. Cephas Arthur that the police could ban Keep Fit events organised by political parties in the lead-up to the 7 December polls if such events keptp sparking violence.

This follows two separate clashes between supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) during such simultaneous exercises.

The first one happened in front of the Nima residence of NPP flag bearer Nana Akufo-Addo. The second happened at Asokore in the New Juaben constituency a week later. Five people were injured in the second incident and cars were vandalised.

Speaking about the possibility of banning the political health walks, Mr Karbo said: “… How can these two isolated incidents all of a sudden become a threat to our security?” In his estimation, the clashes only expose the weaknesses and unprofessionalism of the police.

He said were the police acting professionally, these clashes would not be happening. “… When the police allow themselves to be controlled by party apparatchiks, that is what happens,” he stressed, adding that resorting to a ban will “a lazy way of policing”.