NDC calls for release of arrested ex-soldiers

Accra, Nov. 19, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday called on the Government to use legal channels to deal with any manner of persons whose lives or actions appeared to be in breach of any aspect of the Constitution.

It said: "Ghana needs lasting peace in a turbulent sub-region and no reckless action by the government should be condoned to the detriment of national security and cohesion."

The NDC was reacting to an alleged clampdown on former soldiers of the Forces Reserve Battalion, also known as the 64 Regiment who lived at Nungua, Accra.

Dr. Nii Josiah Aryeh, General Secretary of the NDC, in a statement said the ex-servicemen were subjected to harassment, intimidation and arrest at the weekend together with their families in the general community of Nungua.

The statement said the inhuman treatment in invasion of the privacy and homes of the ex-soldiers together with the taking of their families as hostages under "routine security operations" was a gross violation of human rights as guarantee by law.

It warned that if the reckless exercise was continued it "will be a recipe for chaos and confusion and widespread invasion of the private lives of citizens."

The statement said the "former 64 Battalion personnel are not criminals but a very disciplined corps of soldiers who stood ready to defend their country from all sources of aggression at great cost to their lives.

"They are retired Ghanaian ex-servicemen, "who served their nation dutifully by helping to establish and protect our infant democracy, just like other law abiding citizens.

"They have retired into civilian life and deserve a peaceful existence in their own country."

The statement called on the government to take immediate steps to unconditionally release all persons of the 64 and other Battalions who have been arrested.

It asked the Chief Justice, Mr Justice George Acquah to take note of the human rights violations and to advice the government or its security operatives.