Story by Nsor Paul Mensah
In a press conference on Tuesday, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) made explosive allegations against Brigadier-General Micheal Opoku, the current General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Ghana Armed Forces' Central Command.
The NDC claimed that Opoku has been "mandated by President Akufo Addo" to lead a scheme designed by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the upcoming 2024 general elections, particularly in the Ashanti region.
According to the NDC, the alleged rigging plot involves "ballot stuffing, swapping of ballot boxes, swapping of pink sheets, and other clandestine activities" starting from the special voting exercise on December 2nd.
The party alleged that Opoku, who previously held the rank of Colonel, was responsible for the "mayhem and brutalities" inflicted on civilians during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election in 2019. The Emile Short Commission had found him "ultimately responsible" for the violent attacks on that occasion.
Despite these findings, the NDC claimed, President Akufo-Addo "rejected the findings of the Commission" and has now promoted Opoku to Brigadier-General and appointed him as GOC of the Central Command.
The NDC further alleged that Opoku has been training NPP "thugs" at military camps to "unleash violence on NDC agents and supporters on voting day." They also claimed that Opoku's residence in Kumasi is being used to store "weapons, illegally-printed ballot papers, military apparels and other election materials" for the NPP's "dastardly and subversive agenda."
The party called for Opoku's immediate removal from his position, stating that "a miscreant like him should not be allowed anywhere near the security architecture for the impending 2024 general elections." They warned that the NDC is monitoring Opoku and his collaborators, and that "violence cannot and will not win the NPP this year's election."
The NDC urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff to investigate these allegations and take appropriate action to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in 2024.