President Mahama directs Police to review brutality against demonstrators
President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday directed the Police Administration to review alleged police brutalities against unarmed civilians who embarked on a demonstration, organised by some pressure groups in Accra, on Wednesday, September 16.
He described the incident as “unfortunate” and charged the Police authorities to examine the event critically and take steps to avert similar occurrence in the future.
President Mahama gave the directive when he joined the chiefs and people of Asogli State at a grand durbar to climax this year’s Asogli Yam Festival on the theme, “All hands on deck…Harnessing our full potential for accelerated development.”
He said Ghana is a nation of laws and that it is regrettable for citizens to be brutally assaulted whilst exercising their right to be heard.
President Mahama said demonstrations are one of the ways of causing positive change in society, saying, he had participated in some demonstrations and condemned the use of excessive force on demonstrators.
“Basic humanity must be respected at all times,” he added.
President Mahama also underscored the need for demonstrators to go by agreed routes to prevent clashes with law enforcing agencies, saying: “If we are to maintain peace, we must all act in accordance with the law.”
Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of Asogli said it is time the country improves its politics to unite rather than divide the citizenry.
He said it is important that politicians shun divisive and “hate-filled ethnic-biased” speeches as the country enters the general election in 2016.
Togbe Afede said politics should refocus on development, instead of the preoccupation of winning elections and invited Ghanaians to place their attention on the key objective of founding fathers of the nation-building a great and strong nation.
He asked the government to intensify its battle against corruption, saying, “corrupt officials are like termites at the woodwork. They eat at the very foundations of our future development”.
Togbe Afede described the recent revelations about corruption in the judiciary as “sickening” and underscored the need for a penal system to address corruption.
He commended government for coming out with a 40-year development plan to promote sustainable development of the country.
Togbe Afede also commended government for developmental projects in the Volta Region and called for the maintenance of Ho-Accra road and Ho-Aflao road.
He said chiefs in the Volta Region are liaising with investors from Italy and the United States to invest in the agriculture and energy sectors in the Region and called for support from all.
Madam Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Regional Minister enumerated projects being undertaken by government and reiterated the readiness of the political leadership in the area to work with the traditional authorities for rapid growth.
The colourful durbar attracted ministers of state, members of the diplomatic corps, members of parliament, chiefs from other parts of the region and a delegation of chiefs from Notsie in the Republic of Togo led by Togbe Agorkorli IV, Ewefiaga of Togo.
There were also chiefs from the Ashanti, Central, Eastern and Brong- Ahafo regions.
Source: GNA