President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed regret at the recent violent conduct of pro-government vigilante group Delta Force in Kumasi.

Members of the Delta Force recently attacked the President’s regional security coordinator for Ashanti and also stormed a Kumasi Circuit Court to free 13 of their members who were standing trial for assaulting the security appointee.

The 13 suspects later surrendered. Eight of those who helped them to escape were also arrested and are standing trial.

In his Easter message to Ghanaians, Mr Akufo-Addo reiterated he would not countenance illegality under his watch and that the rule of law would work.

“I know that Ghanaians were dissatisfied with their living standards and the direction in which the country was heading. That is why they voted emphatically for change and that is why I was elected as president of the republic. It is for this reason that I regret very much the unfortunate incident that happened in Kumasi recently,” he stated.

“Inasmuch as the law enforcement agencies and judiciary have moved in to apply the laws of our land, let me reiterate that it will not be under my watch that people will act with impunity, neither will it be under my watch that the laws of the land will not be respected. That will not happen. Crime has no political colour under my government. We are a nation governed by the rule of law and the law will work without fear or favour.”

According to Mr Akufo-Addo, he and the NPP have put before Ghanaians the most ambitious programme of social and economic transformation of any government in the history of the Fourth Republic. “This programme is hinged on structuring the institution of our government. Modernisation of our agriculture to enhance its productivity, a clear industrial policy, and rationalising the financial sector so that it supports growth in agriculture and growth in the manufacturing industry,” he noted.

In his view, that is the way “we can build a resilient economy and lead Ghana to a situation beyond aid”.

Mr Akufo-Addo added: “In this season of hope let me reassure everyone that with God’s guidance, we’ll transform our nation under the rule of law and use all the blessing that the Almighty has bestowed on us to bring wealth to all our people if we work at it.”