Calls by President Nana Akufo-Addo for the disbandment of political vigilante groups may not see the light of day as a new militia group affiliated to the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has just been discovered.
According to a JOY NEWS report, the militia group known as De-Eye Group, associated with the NPP has been undergoing training for almost two years at an important state facility classified as a security zone.
This report comes at a time the two major political parties are required to hold a joint meeting on bringing to an end, activities of vigilante groups in the country.
Head of JOY NEWS investigative desk, Manasseh Azure Awuni went undercover to expose the operations of the group and its link to the NPP.
Rumours were rife that the governing party, as part of its security arrangement for the 2020 elections, is training militia groups for the upcoming 2020 elections.
The largest opposition party, NDC has on several occasions accused the NPP of ordering Regional Police Commanders to recruit and train thugs to cause mayhem in the country during the 2020 general elections.
In September last year, former Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi, George Loh, alleged that the NPP is secretly training some of its youth in an undisclosed location.
He said the NDC is fully aware of the location and warned it would not sit aloof and watch.
Again in a recent statement in response to the President’s directive, the NDC reiterated, “…at a time when there is hue and cry about the growing culture of political thuggery and hooliganism in the country, the Akufo-Addo government is secretly embarking on a new project of recruiting and training NPP thugs for the purposes of the 2020 General Elections. A recent investigation by Joy FM uncovered official correspondence from the Upper West Regional Security Liaison Officer to various NPP Constituency Chairmen to aid in the recruitment of able-bodied NPP thugs to be trained at the expense of the taxpayer. These revelations, coupled with the sad events of Ayawaso West Wuogon, clearly betray the lack of candor in the President’s call.
President Akufo-Addo, however, denied this allegation and stated that “neither the Government nor the ruling New Patriotic Party has made any plans to “recruit party thugs for the 2020 general elections.” No such directive has been given, nor will any such directive be given, and no such recruitment is taking place. Neither the New Patriotic Party nor I need political party thugs to win the 2020 election. We will do so on the basis of our record, our argument and our values.”
The JOY NEWS report comes as a confirmation of the claims by the NDC.
The full story will air tonight on the JOY NEWS channel on Multi TV at 8.30. It will also air on Joy FM as well as stream on Myjoyonline.com.