Sacrifice top officials who promote vigilantism – Prof Gyampo to Akufo-Addo

Senior lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Professor Ransford Gyampo, has called for the culture of sacrificing top gov’t and public officials who fall foul of the law in the country.

His submission is in support of the immediate action taken by President Nana Addo Danakwa Akufo Addo in suspending the Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Sulemana Alhassan for his alleged shielding of some party hooligans.

“with the level of impunity in the country, unless we sacrifice some top officials – be it REGSEC Chairman like the suspended Regional Minister, the President ought to dismiss such characters. The IGP and other security gurus must understand that the President has shown a clear way and determination to let the law deal with lawbreakers”, he noted.

According to him, this whole issue of vigilantism and party foot soldiers found its ugly head in the country somewhere in 2001 and since then successive governments have paid mere lip service to fighting the canker.

Prof. Gyampo also commended the President for the bold decision taken, but recommended stiffer punishment against the minister if found guilty after investigations.

But moving forward, he mentioned that we must not condone lawlessness and impunity particularly as we have climbed higher the ladder of democratic progression – as it retards our growth and development.

However, personal aide to the suspended minister, Issah A. Kpegla Jnr. Speaking to Ofori Ayim on Atinka FM’s “Simpieso” categorically denied any directive from Alhaji Sulemana Alhassan purported to have freed the perpetuators from arrest was untrue.

According to him, the rampaging youth submitted that the NADMO Coordinator, Isaac Seidu who doubles as Regional Organizer, was the Electoral Officer in the constituency and denied their candidate from contesting in the polling station elections of the NPP party.

And that, it was the leadership of the agitated youth who was present and not the culprits at the time the police came. Thus, the police after interrogation and gathering of their fact, they all agreed to let them go and report on Thursday, Feb 1, which they did.

Therefore, under no circumstances did Alhaji Sulemana Alhassan aid the release of the culprits.