The opposition National Democratic Congress has, since its resounding defeat in the 2016 general elections, sought political refuge in a controversial Election Petition, baseless court cases and demonstrations as weapons for connecting with people, and staying relevant in their own eyes.
Of course, that is not to say that they have been lawless throughout their engagements with police over the period. Indeed, the record shows that their demonstrations had been largely peaceful, even if the cacophonous notes of propaganda had been pungent.
It was therefore not surprising that many security analysts condemned the nasty incident that occurred on the first day of the ‘Arise Ghana’ demonstration on Tuesday.
Claiming to have rallied enough numbers, the leadership allowed their ‘subjects’ to go into overdrive, and were caught clearly attacking police and vandalising state vehicles meant to protect them and other Ghanaians during lawful exercise such as they had indicated to Ghanaians.
Mischief
Unfortunately, it turned out that the leopard cannot change its spots. As we were to see, the true nature of the people waiting to lead Ghana was revealed in the pent-up feeling of desperation that was unleashed along the Ring Road and the Kwame Nkrumah Circle stretch.
As has become evident, there has never been a living group or association or organisation called ‘Arise Ghana’ with numbers that can do some decent demonstration, without some ‘political goons’ offering some kind of inducement.
So, when the hired, jobless hooligans started trickling in around 09:30am, it was clear that the leadership had a challenge achieving the required ‘crowd’ effect.
Ostensibly provoking the Police, they ended up creating mayhem in a desperate attempt to give the Police a bad name. Indeed, images from the ground indicated that the militant crowd were poised for a fight with the Police.
Shameful lies
But for the professionalism exhibited by the police personnel, a more nasty development would have been witnessed.
Yet, to perpetuate their shameful lies that it was the Police that first attacked the demonstrators, the NDC and Arise Ghana leaders were at a press conference claiming that the government had put people in ‘Arise Ghana’ T-shirts to infiltrate their ranks. According to them, the ‘infiltrators’ were those who caused the mayhem, and disrupted economic activities of innocent citizens.
It is very unfortunate that, instead of inspiring the general public and Ghanaians, for that matter, on the need to arise to their responsibilities in innovating to improve lives and livelihoods, these citizens conspired to break heads and bones in clear daylight.
So that demonstrators would no longer take the nation for a ride in future, the Daily Statesman would propose that thorough investigations are carried out, and those found culpable dealt with according to the laws of the land.
Like all right-thinking Ghanaians, we believe demonstrations should not be used as the platform to unleash violence on the state, and that message should be sent out strongly to all citizens using the appropriate channels.
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