The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a stern warning to Brigadier-General Michael Opoku, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, over what it describes as his involvement in a grand election-rigging scheme allegedly orchestrated by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
At a press conference held on Tuesday at the party’s headquarters in Accra, the NDC’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, alleged that Brigadier-General Opoku has been at the center of plans to subvert the will of Ghanaians in the upcoming December 7 polls.
"We have credible intelligence that Brigadier-General Michael Opoku is leading a nefarious plot designed to rig the elections in favor of the NPP, particularly in the Ashanti Region," Gyamfi declared.
According to him, these activities include ballot stuffing, swapping of ballot boxes, and the training of individuals disguised as military personnel to intimidate voters and disrupt the electoral process.
The NDC also accused Brigadier-General Opoku of using his residence in Kumasi as a storage facility for weapons, fake ballot papers, and military gear to facilitate the alleged scheme.
This isn’t the first time Brigadier-General Opoku has come under scrutiny.
The NDC referenced his role in the 2019 Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence, during which masked security operatives, allegedly acting on his orders, inflicted harm on civilians, including an assault on Ningo-Prampram MP, Samuel Nartey George.
“This man carries the atrocities of Ayawaso West Wuogon as a badge of dishonor. He is unfit to occupy his current position, and we demand his immediate removal as GOC of the Central Command,” Sammy Gyamfi added.
The party further criticized President Akufo-Addo for promoting Brigadier-General Opoku despite the Emile Short Commission’s findings, which held him responsible for the brutalities during the by-election.
Sammy Gyamfi assured Ghanaians that the NDC remains committed to peaceful elections but warned against any attempts to manipulate the process.
"Let it be known that we have Brigadier-General Michael Opoku and his collaborators under our radar and will monitor them with eagle eyes. Violence will not and cannot win this election for the NPP," Gyamfi stated emphatically.
The NDC called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff, and other security agencies to take immediate steps to investigate the allegations and ensure the safety of voters.
As the December 7 polls approach, the party urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and protect the sanctity of the electoral process.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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