The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ashanti Region has criticised the Ghana Police Service for what they perceive as bias in handling political matters in the country.
This criticism stems from the police’s decision to declare Mustapha Alhassan, the Manhyia South Constituency Organiser for the NDC, a wanted individual following his alleged threats of electoral violence in a viral video.
The NDC has voiced their dissatisfaction with the police’s handling of the situation, alleging that the law enforcement agency has shown partiality and selectivity in its actions.
Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NDC, raised concerns about the decision to declare Alhassan wanted without first consulting the party’s leadership.
Amoakohene, speaking in an interview with Citi News on February 19, 2024, argued that Alhassan is a well-known public figure and an executive member of the NDC. Therefore, he believes that the police could have collaborated with the party to facilitate his investigation.
“We saw a notice from the police that one of our officers is declared wanted. In the first place, why would you declare an officer, an identifiable person, wanted? It just tells you that they are out there to play mischief. Because you know that he is the organiser of the party, the right thing must be done. You have to go to the regional leadership for us to produce him.
“Because we are not fighting in the region and we are in a good working relationship. So don’t jump to social media and declare officers wanted when you have not made any frantic efforts in getting the party to produce the person,” citinewsroom.com quoted him to have said.
He pointed out cases where members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) purportedly made comparable public remarks advocating violence without encountering equivalent police intervention.
The Ghana Police Service issued a wanted notice for Mustapha after a video of him emerged on social media, wherein he was recorded issuing threats of violence in the 2024 elections if any attempt is made to rig the vote.
The suspect was seen cautioning the Electoral Commission (EC), the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), and individuals engaged in the electoral process.
In the video, shared by GHOne TV on Twitter, he is heard stating, “I am telling the EC officer, the woman and the NPP that if they are planning to steal the elections… we will show you how to win an election,” he said.
“I am telling them that we have informed John Mahama that, whether you like it or not, wherever you go, we are fully organised and will show you how to win an election.
“We have won an election from the NPP before, and we will show you. There would be war between us, and if you dare, we will kill you,” the NDC organiser added.
He continued, “We are aware… if you plan on stealing the elections, we will show you. If you plan on not handing over power in case we win, we are aware and will show you,” he added.
Meanwhile, the NDC has insisted that they will present Alhaji Mustapha Alhassan on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.
The accused is said to have declined to give details, insisting the party has barred him from speaking to the media.
He, however, disclosed to reporter Ivan Heathcote–Fumador that he was provoked by a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who contended the NPP would not be ‘fools’ to hand over power to an NDC administration.
“This guy I hear is from Asenso Boakye’s camp. He is a teacher.
“He provoked me by saying, ‘if President J.A. Kufuor was a fool to have handed over power to the NDC, President Akufo–Addo will not be a fool to hand over power to John Mahama’,” he recounted.
Alhaji Mustapha Alhasan also mentioned that he was not aware he was being recorded when he was involved in a heated exchange with the alleged NPP member.
Speaking to Starr FM, he expressed feeling betrayed by the edited video, which only showed his side of the conversation while omitting the provocations from the other party, portraying him unfairly.