The Founder of Action Chapel International, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, has warned political parties not to underestimate the capabilities of Ghanaians as the December 7 presidential and parliamentary polls draw closer.
According to him, there is untoward hardship, pain, and suffering in Ghana, highlighted by the exodus of doctors and nurses as one consequence.
Archbishop Duncan-Williams reiterated that if things were not properly managed and political parties acted solely in their own interests, Ghanaians would not accept such actions.
He justified his warning by referring to the events he witnessed in the country during the turbulent coup periods.
He also cited ongoing disturbances in parts of the country, including Bawku, to justify the radical actions that Ghanaians could exhibit.
“May I say this that nobody should think that the Ghanaian is very gentle and doesn’t like trouble. It’s not true because I saw what happened in 79 and 81 (during the Rawlings coups).
“There were Ghanaians and some of the violence and murders and unrest in certain parts of this country like what’s going on in Bawku and other places, they are all Ghanaians, and if we don’t manage things well and we have this mentality and thinking that any party can do whatever they want to do and the Ghanaians will accept it, and the Ghanaian will live for it, you might be playing with fire, make no mistake,” he cautioned.
He continued, “When people are desperate and angry, they don’t care about what happens, and angry and desperate people are very dangerous to manage and deal with, and demons come into town and possess people. Maybe you will know because when demons enter a person, it doesn’t care about your tribe or your citizenship.”
The Archbishop was speaking after the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, met with the Christian Ecumenical Council and called on the clergy to rise and speak against the lack of transparency leading to the upcoming elections.
Mr Mahama accused the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Akufo-Addo government of appointing party loyalists into the national security agencies to twist the election’s outcome.
Mr Mahama’s concern emphasises issues raised by the Minority in Parliament.
The NDC MPs perceive illegal recruitment into the security services by the government ahead of the December elections.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority Leader, alleged during a news conference that all NPP Parliamentary candidates have been allocated 30 slots each to select NPP loyalists and supporters to fill positions within the security services, including the police and army.
Dr Forson urged President Akufo-Addo and the government to halt what he described as undemocratic behaviour.
He emphasised the need for transparency and fairness in recruitment processes within the security sector.
He asserted that the Minority in Parliament would remain vigilant and oppose any attempts to manipulate the upcoming elections.