Freeing Azugu, others; Akufo-Addo not ready to fight vigilantism – Prof. Gyampo

Quashing a recommendation for the prosecution of a security operative who slapped an opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Sam George during the Awayaso West Wuogon by-election shows President Akufo-Addo is not ready to fight vigilantism, according to an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Ghana, Ransford Gyampo.

“To exonerate a person in a White Paper creates an impression, the government is not so much interested in fighting against vigilantism,” the lecturer spoke on JoyNews Newsfile Saturday monitored by MyNewsGh.com.

The government justified the assault explaining the operative, was provoked after the MP used insulting language. The justification has not been without ridicule in some sections of social media.

Prof. Gyampo said he would have wanted government to go ahead and prosecute the operative and allow a judge to determine if he had the right course to attack the MP.

“Take second look” at this ‘politically unwise”, the political social commenter advised President Akufo-Addo.

Government White Paper also refused to reprimand the minister of state at the presidency in charge of national security, Bryan Acheampong who had ‘ultimate responsibility’ for the operation.

The government also refused to remove the commander of a SWAT team at National Security Council Secretariat, DSP Samuel Azugu who admitted his men over-acted at Bawalashie where guns were fired close to the residence of the NDC parliamentary candidate Delali Kwasi Brempong.