Following Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery’s testimony at the ongoing Commission of Enquiry probing of the violence and brutalities that characterized the 31st January 2019, Ayawaso West Wuogon By-Election where he stated that the “amour” vehicle used by the “unknown” masked men does not belong to the Ghana Police Services, Awake News has picked up an information which suggests the said vehicle may have been taken from the 64 Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The vehicle which was branded “Police SWAT” with the Ghana Police logo embossed on it became an issue of public concern following the Police denial that they did not deploy armed masked men for the election.
The Police maintained that all their vehicles are numbered with the prefix, “GP” and that the said vehicle does not belong to them.
Many Ghanaians were worried about why security officers deployed to monitor the by-election will be masked and armed as though they were deployed for war. The most worrying of the situation was when these men were seen in video footages unleashing violence on some Ghanaians believed to be supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress in the presence of unarmed and unmasked men in Police uniform.
The snippet of information gathered by Awake News says an Army Major (name withheld) disclosed to his colleagues at an unofficial meeting that “insider investigation revealed the car used by the fake police at Ayawaso is from 64 regiments of Ghana Armed Forces”.
“That car belonged to only 64 unit of Ghana armed forces,” he maintained
Video of the masked armed men in the said vehicle during the by-election:
How did an alleged Ghana Armed Forces’ car get to the masked men?
According to Awake News sources, this became possible as one Army Colonel (name withheld) stationed at Jubilee House – the seat of the President has allegedly been tasked to be in charge of police operations. The development those officers aware questioned: “how can a soldier be in charge of police operations?”
It has been alleged that Colonel stationed at the Presidency and put in charge of the Police Operations might have assisted in facilitating the access of 64 Regiment vehicle to hooligans who unleashed violence and brutalities.
About the 64 Regiment:
The commando unit is known as the “64th Infantry Regiment,” including who its members are, where they receive their training, how members are recruited
“… the Commando unit, a private army established by the PNDC [Provisional National Defence Council] in 1983 to protect the Rawlings regime … now christened 64 Infantry Regiment to represent June (6) 4th, comprises personnel trained in all areas of the armed profession. Even though the Commandos Unit has been incorporated into the Ghana Armed Forces to circumvent the Constitutional provision prohibiting the establishment of any private army, the 64thIR is the only unit where the other ranks are permitted to carry side arms even when off duty.”
Background:
The Electoral Commission organized a By-Election on January 31, 2019 following the sudden demise of the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, Emmanuel Boakye Agyarko.
During the poll, some armed and masked men were spotted unleashing violence on some people suspected to be supporters of the opposition NDC. About 6 people were shot near the house of the Parliamentary Candidate for the NDC, Mr. Delali Brempong with many sustaining various degrees of injuries and have since been hospitalized.
Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam George was also assaulted during the incidence.
The incidence led to the boycott of the By-election by NDC which they said was a measure to help protect lives.
Former President John Mahama joined the many Ghanaians to condemn the violence but warn the ruling government the NDC will match the NPP “boot-for-boot” in 2020, a comment the Peace Council Chairman, Prof. Asante has condemned and asked the former president to apologize.
President Akufo-Addo established a Commission of Enquiry to probe the incident:
President Akufo-Addo after excessive pressure from the public including the ‘Aagbe Wo’ demonstration by the Inter-party Coalition, established the Commission to probe the matter but the NDC has hinted it will boycott the hearing saying the Commission will only grant immunity for the offenders hence helping them to escape criminal prosecution.
The Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery; Minister of National Security, Mr. Kan Daapa and Minister in charge of National Security at the Office of the President, Mr. Bryan Acheampong all appeared before the Commission.
Whiles the Interior Minister said that the IGP, Mr. Asante-Apeatu denied knowledge of the masked men and the vehicle in question; Mr. Acheampong said they were deployed by the Police Director of Operations and that those men are from National Security.
The East Legon District Police Commander, DSP Asare also said he was instructed by the Regional Commander to step aside during the Ayawaso by-election and his vehicle was taken from him.
By: Efo Korsi Senyo / AwakeNewsOnline.com