Shooting@NDC Office: Let This Be A Learning Curve . . . - Opanin Agyekum To Politicians

Dean of the School of Performing Arts at the University of Ghana, Prof. Kofi Agyekum, popularly known as Opanin Agyekum has condemned the shooting incident at the Ashanti Regional Office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Some members of a pro-NDC group called the "Hawks" fired multiple shots at some persons during a meeting with National and Regional executives of the NDC at the party office.

In what looked like an action movie, the incident which occurred Monday morning, saw the executives in flight to avoid danger with the suspects speeding off the scene after committing the crime.

The Regional Police Command has launched a manhunt for four suspects involved in the shooting on Monday, February 18, 2019, resulting in the death of one person and another member of the NDC in critical condition at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Peace FM's Ashanti Regional Reporter, Sampson Nyamekye revealed that the "the suspects who are currently on the police wanted list include Husein Barnabas, also known as Warrior; Mijima, Damos, and Abu Taliban".

Addressing the issue on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo', Opanin Agyekum asked political actors in the country not to interfere with investigations by the security forces to arrest the culprits.

He advised political parties, particularly the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC); to heed calls to disband vigilante groups affiliated with them and also ensure they cooperate with security agencies to secure elections in the country.

He told host Kwami Sefa Kayi that security of Ghanaians is the preserve of security agencies only and not any individual or political party, hence there is no need for them to hire extra security to protect them.

He believed the shooting incident involving their members could have been avoided if the parties stopped pampering the vigilante groups.

Describing the shooting at the NDC office as "shameful", Opanin Agyekum urged the government, NDC and all political parties to learn their lessons.

“We should take this as a learning curve. Let’s have confidence in the security agencies that they can secure the elections . . . it’s disgraceful,” he said.