The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Michael Opoku, from office.

According to the NDC, unlike many professionals and noble men and women in Ghana’s security agencies, Brigadier General Opoku has a “notorious” track record unbecoming of his position.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, November 19, the NDC’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, said that this “devious” character carries the mayhem and brutality Brigadier General Opoku supervised at Ayawaso West Wugon as a badge of dishonour. 

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“A person like him has no place in the current environment where Ghanaians are calling for violence-free elections. Given his history, we call for his immediate removal from his position as GOC of the Central Command,” he said.

He further asserted that a “miscreant” like Brigadier General Opoku should not be involved in the security architecture for the upcoming 2024 general elections.

“The NDC wishes to serve notice to Brigadier-General Michael Opoku and his collaborators in the New Patriotic Party that we have them under our radar and will continue to monitor them with eagle eyes. This time around, he and his ilk shall not succeed. Violence cannot and will not win the NPP this year’s election,” Mr Gyamfi warned.

The NDC also called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, to ensure no individual usurps his authority.

The party noted that Ghanaians still await justice for the eight innocent Ghanaians who were shot and killed during the 2020 elections, including those shot in broad daylight at Techiman South. 

“The IGP and the Elections Security Task Force must get to the bottom of this election-rigging agenda and stop Brigadier-General Opoku and his thugs from embarking on another Techiman South-styled killing. 

“The IGP owes a duty to the people of Ghana to be firm and fair-minded to ensure peace during and after the elections. In this regard, we assure him of our fullest cooperation.”

The party further called on the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, to investigate these allegations and hold Brigadier General Opoku accountable.

“The NDC and by extension, the people of Ghana will hold the IGP, the Chief of Defence Staff and our security heads responsible for the loss of a single life in the 2024 general elections. "

“Elections are about counting heads and not cutting heads. No person must lose his or her life on the altar of elections,” the party added.

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