The Minority in Parliament is
demanding the immediate dismissal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP),
James Oppong Boanuh, for not ensuring the safety of Ghanaians during the 2020
presidential and parliamentary elections.
According to the Ranking Member
on Defence and Interior, James Agalga, the IGP, and other security agencies
reneged on their promise to Parliament and Ghanaians to protect lives. At least
six persons lost their lives due to violence during the 2020 general elections.
There were 61 recorded cases of
electoral and post-electoral violence across the country.
Twenty-one of the incidents were
true cases of electoral violence, six of which involved gunshots, according to
the police.
Mr. Agalga insists the IGP
failed to live up to his responsibilities as the Inspector General of Police.
Speaking to Citi News, James Agalga said
the IGP must resign or be sacked
“The IGP appeared before us
(Parliament) and assured us that he was the chairman of the Election Security
Taskforce. I remember clearly how the Minority Leader, Haruna Idrissu made it
known to him that should anything go wrong, the Minority was going to hold him
accountable for any breaches. Now five people were killed. His men targeted
innocent citizens, unarmed civilians, and fired at them, and he is still at
post.”
He further added that “if I were him, I would have the
honorable thing by resigning but if he wouldn’t do so, he should be immediately
dismissed.”
Meanwhile, the Interior
Minister, Ambrose Dery insists the security personnel were not at fault for the
violent incidents.
“The security operatives, did what they did within
the standard operating procedures, and it would be recalled that even in any
case there is injury or death unfortunately, there are investigations.”
“I can assure you that the
security personnel has been really good and we can all attest to it that this
election has been the most violence-free. But we also urge security agencies to
live up to their expectations and standards.”
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