Opposition Party Protests Detention Of Its Members

Ghana's main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) said Wednesday that 38 of its polling agents were illegally arrested by the country's security agents in the capital ahead of Thursday's Presidential vote run-off.

The nation's two main parties have been trading accusations of intimidation and harassment, with the NPP warning that it would no longer countenance such alleged behaviour.

The poll run-off is between Vice-President John Atta Mills of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and John Agyekum Kufuor of the NPP.

A statement by Dan Botwe, NPP General Secretary, said a group of party members, which was on its way to the Volta Region, a stronghold of the NDC, was arrested Tuesday.

"Members of the 64th regiment arrested a busload of party agents going to the Volta Region, on the flimsy charge of 'suspicious circumstance,' and driven to Gonda Barracks at Burma Camp (military barracks) where attempts were made to manhandle them," the NPP said.

The party said the group was then sent to the Police Headquarters where they were given bail after their statements were taken and the police took photographs.

The allegation comes as President Jerry Rawlings, who is not contesting the election because he has completed his second term, called on the security services to be pro-active so as to counteract provocation and intimidation that could mar Thursday's vote.

He also urged the electorate to stand their grounds and refuse to be intimidated.

The two rival parties have been claiming that their supporters are being intimidated in one another's stronghold.

The NPP claimed the government has deployed soldiers at Kumasi, the second largest city, which "is a sign of provocation and intimidation."

But the Military High Command of the Ghana Armed Forces said the deployment of troops in certain parts of the country is an "annual routine" to curb crime.

"The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to inform the general public that it is an annual routine, during the Christmas and New Year holidays, for the military and police to jointly patrol certain parts of the country as a necessary security measure to curb crimes such as armed robbery, murders and smuggling," it said.

A statement by Major N. Mensah of the Public Relations Directorate said this is to ensure that law-abiding citizens go about their normal activities peacefully.

"Indeed, the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police perform these roles in the overall interest of all Ghanaians," it said.

The deployment of troops on such tasks is, therefore, meant to stem acts likely to impact negatively on national security and it will be maintained until the holiday period is over, it said.

"The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to assure the general public that it will always live up to its constitutional role of maintaining peace and security in the country," the statement added.