The New Patriotic Party has requested that the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service arrest, investigate, and prosecute for treason and offensive conduct both former President John Dramani Mahama and the Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Party, Johnson Aseidu Nketiah.
Ahead of the 2020 general elections, Mr. Mahama stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will go toe-to-toe with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) if the NPP maintains its practice of intimidating NDC members with hoodlums and vigilante organizations.
In addition to this, he stated that the impending general elections in 2024 will be a “do or die” situation for the NDC.
Henry Nana Boakye, the National Organizer of the NPP, sent in a petition stating that these actions are in violation of Sections 180 and 207 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (ACT 29), respectively, and that these offences are to be handled in accordance with Section 1 of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (ACT 30).
“Without regard to his position as a statesman, the former President John Dramani Mahama boldly boasted across multiple venues about the revolutionary roots of the NDC and their unequalled capacity when it comes to unleashing violence for the sake of political gain. In addition to this, he has also made statements to the effect that the National Democratic Congress’ strategy for the elections of 2024 will be one of “do or die” and “boot for boot.” Invariably, this speaks to their unyielding will to acquire political advantage by any means necessary, regardless of whether or not those measures are ethical or moral.
“When he was asked during a media interview what he meant by ‘boot-for-boot’ and ‘do or die,’ and whether, with the benefit of hindsight, he would want to retract those incendiary comments, John Dramani Mahama insisted that he meant what he said and that he was never going to retract,” Nana B, as he is affectionately called, added in the petition. Nana B is a nickname for him.
Nana Boakye stated that, on behalf of Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, he has on multiple occasions “threatened fire and brimstone” to ensure that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) wins the general elections in 2024.
“He has revealed that the elections are going to be bloody and that his party was willing and ready to sacrifice lives to ensure that they won the election in 2024,” During his victory speech after being elected as the National Chairman of the NDC on December 18, 2022, he is on record as having stated unequivocally that it was time for members of the NDC to continue the fight to win the second independence of Ghana and that they are prepared to sacrifice everything, including their lives, for an NDC victory in the 2024 general elections. This information is documented and can be found in the historical record.
Nana Boakye is concerned because, given the influential positions that John Dramani Mahama and Johnson Asiedu Nketiah occupy, such remarks pose a great risk to the peace and stability of the state. Furthermore, such remarks have the potential to incite their supporters to disrupt the constitutional order by resorting to some unorthodox and extra-constitutional means of changing a government that has been democratically elected.
“In light of the foregoing, I beg to respectfully submit that if such vacuous commentary is to be eliminated from our body politic, then high-status persons such as the former President John Dramani Mahama and Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the National Chairman, cannot be immune from arrest and investigations.
After all, the principle of equality before the law is enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic.”
It has been less than twenty-four hours since the National Democratic Congress submitted a petition to the Criminal Investigation Department requesting the arrest and prosecution of Minister of Agriculture Bryan Acheampong, who has come under fire for making comments that have been deemed irresponsible.