A member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) communication team, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to appoint a Minister for Defence.
According to him, the president does not seem to be in control of security in the country as violent incidents seem to be on the rise.
Speaking on Channel 1 Tv on September 22, Dr. Palgrave pointed to a series of violent clashes across Ghana that have left dozens dead and many more injured or displaced.
According to him, the frequency of these incidents since the start of the year shows an escalating security challenge.
“From the 15th of January right up to yesterday, there have been pockets of clashes everywhere,” he said.
He cited a number of cases, including the Gbinyiri violence that claimed 34 lives and displaced thousands, renewed clashes in Nkwanta South where more than three people died, a Chieftaincy dispute in the Oti Region that killed three, another Chieftaincy conflict in Nanik in the North East Region that also claimed 3 lives, a market-related dispute in Bawku where one person was killed, and a land dispute in Domeabra which left six people injured, among others.
“The more I receive intelligence from the east, west, south and north of this country, I don’t think that the President is in charge. He is almost losing grip of the security situation in the country,” he said.
Dr. Palgrave further stated that these conflicts persist because lasting solutions have not been implemented.
He went on to recommend a solution to the President.
“He must immediately appoint a Minister for Defence designate, call Parliament’s Appointments Committee to vet that person so that the security can be in place well,” he suggested.
He added that security agencies on the ground are struggling to keep up with the wave of violence.
He noted, “Police seem overwhelmed with the situations that are happening.”
