The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described as ridiculous and unconvincing a statement issued by the Minister of Information, Nana Akomea, purporting to explain the reasons for the importation of arms and ammunition by the National Security Council.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by the Director of Communications of the party, Mr John Mahama, said the move disregarded all rules and regulations governing the importation and clearance of military hardware and software.

It said Nana Akomea explained that the importation of arms and ammunition was part of the programme for hosting the ECOWAS conference, protecting the heads of state and training body guards for the new Liberian Administration.

“This, according to Nana Akomea, had imposed increased responsibility on security agencies to train bodyguards and VIP protection units,” the statement recalled.

According to the statement, both the training of such bodyguards and the provision of security for VIPs had become the responsibilities of state security agencies, as defined by the Security and Intelligence Act, (Act 526). It said it would have been understandable if the arms had been cleared by accredited representatives of the military or police, where, traditionally, bodyguards and other personal security trainees were drawn from.

It said the government’s explanation that the arms were cleared by retired officers of the Ghana Armed Forces employed by the Office of the President confirmed the rumour about the existence of a security organisation outside those sanctioned by the state whose identity and mission were shrouded in mystery.

The statement alleged that there were reports that the government was recruiting personnel, ostensibly into the police service, but outside the normal channels of recruitment, as well as information that the government initially sought to import 3,000 revolvers and night-vision equipment from an European firm.

It added that the government was forced to turn to Israel after the European supplier had insisted that the government should provide an ECOWAS authorised and user certificate as required by the ECOWAS moratorium on small arms, which the government failed to do.

It said what had worsened the case was the different explanations given by Mr Kwabena Agyepong, Press Secretary to the President, that the weapons were brought in to deal with potential coup situations, an explanation which conflicted with Nana Akomea’s earlier claim, while the Minister of the Interior was also reported to have stated that he had no idea about the importation of arms.

The statement was of the view that “something sinister seems to be afoot, which the government appears to be trying unsuccessfully to cover up”.“This being an election year, the NDC wishes to remind the NPP government that any attempt to engender fear in the run-up to the election through the creation of a private army will not work.

The will of the people shall never be thwarted by intimidation or threats of violence. It is only an unnecessary provocation which can potentially disturb the peace and stability of the nation,” the statement added. It urged civil society organisations, religious bodies, Parliament and all peace-loving Ghanaians to condemn what it termed “the new and menacing development and that we get to the bottom of the matter”.