Scores of supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), clad in red and black, congregated at the party’s head office on Friday to protest against the unlawful ransacking of the party’s headquarters last week.
Men dressed in military uniform and in military vehicles were led by others in plain clothes to ransack some of the offices, taking away items such as a computer hard drive belonging to the party’s Director of Elections.
Addressing hundreds of party supporters at the Asylum Down office, the acting National Chairman of the party, Freddie Blay, alleged that the raid was sponsored by the state to portray the NPP as a violent party.
According to him, officials of the National Security were involved in the raid adding, the raid was an attack on democracy hence the need for all to condemn it.
Some eleven people arrested in connection with the raid have been put before a court and granted bail.
Citi News’ Franklin Badu Jnr. who reported from the party headquarters Friday said those who participated in the protest included the Chairman of the party’s Council of Elders, CK Tedam, Regional Chairman Ishmael Ashietey, and former National Chairman, Haruna Esseku.
Also present at the headquarters was Nana Akufo-Addo’s running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Although the leader of the group that raided the office has confessed he is an NPP member who carried out the act with other disgruntled members of the party, the NPP insists the raid was state-sponsored considering that military branded uniforms and vehicles were used.
Not even claims by the suspect that he is an ex-military officer is convincing enough for the party.
The party also alleged that the ring leader of the alleged attackers, Mr. Bismarck Danso, is a member of the National Democratic Congress and not the NPP as he claims.
Acting Chairman, Mr. Freddie Blay, told hundreds of NPP supporters that the party’s internal investigation into the matter has revealed that national security officials were responsible for the planting of weapons at the party office.
“Our findings so far suggest that what happened Monday was a wickedly orchestrated attempt to tempt this office into a bloodbath and with one aim only to score political points against the country’s largest opposition party as we draw closer to the next general elections. The details unfolding are frightening. After a careful review of the invasion, evidence and subsequent events till; date, the NPP is in no doubt that the attack on our offices was conducted by the state specifically using certain rogue element within the national security set up in full collaboration with some identifiable individuals now bent on destroying the fortunes of the party.”
“An attack on the NPP is an attack on Ghana’s democracy. An organized violent attack against an opposition party using resources of state, is tantamount to attempted coup d’état against the nation’s constitution. It marks a clear departure from the democratic course we are on, and a threatening return to the dark days of oppression. We must all; stand together as one to kill off this dangerous phenomenon now.”
The Ghana Armed Forces has already denied reports that its officers were involved in the raid.