General News of Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Source: Gazette Newspaper

Wontumi in trouble... accuses IGP of being corrupt

Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) - Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi) - Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman

Unimpeachable sources within the Ghana Police Service has reliably told the Gazette newspaper that the top hierarchy of the Ghana Police Service is upset with the Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako and are mulling dragging him before the courts for making unsubstantiated allegations against the Inspector General of Police John Kudalor.

This follows verbal attacks on the personality of the IGP over his recent response to a question indicating the police may block social media if such platforms become a threat to national security.

The NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, who was recently arrested for slapping an NPP Member of Parliament, said the IGP is corrupt and accused him of being in bed with the governing NDC to rig the upcoming elections.

He told host of Accra-based OKAY FM morning show, Kwame Nkrumah Tikesie that the IGP’s comment amounts to criminal intent.

IGP John Kudalor, who was responding to a question during an interaction with News Editors and senior journalists, said the Police may consider shutting down access to social media on Election Day if there is substantial evidence of potential security threat.

Some media houses have however twisted the response and the main opposition party and its surrogates creating unnecessary anxiety among a section of the public.

Mr. Antwi Boasiako, who is on record for using vulgar language against perceived opponents, maintained that the IGP’s statement is a well-calculated move by government to clandestinely rig the elections.

Mr. Antwi Bosiako popularly called Chairman Wontumi said he overheard a conversation between the IGP and the communications minister Dr. Omane Boamah planning to import walkie- talkies for NDC party officials to use to relay information on the Election Day.

He went on further to claim this was in preparations towards the blocking social media in the name of security concerns.

He alleged there is a ploy by the NDC administration to limit communication among NPP members on Election Day.

“They have imported some gadgets to enable communication among their activists and agents, and they will deliberately block social media to frustrate the opposition party. I heard the conversation between some police officials when I was in the cells. They started using the gadgets a day after I was arrested in the Ashanti region...most of the NDC party members have started using the gadgets. They are distributing this walkie-talkie machine to all the polling station agents of the NDC so that when they block social media and other radio stations they will still have access to themselves. They are doing this with the IGP that’s why I am telling you that he’s corrupt. I even told my party people about it” he alleged.

He threatened to personally lead an onslaught on any NDC polling agent seen using any walkie-talkie device in the Ashanti Region on Election Day.

“I am not afraid to face the police because I know the security services are not on our side. This election is the election of our lives” he lamented.

His comments triggered a quick rebuttal from a founding father of the NDC in the Ashanti Region Yaw Afrifa Ponkor who urged the IGP to take an action against the NPP Chairman.

Mr. Yamoah Ponkor described Chairman Wontumi’s statement as irresponsible.

He wondered why Chairman Wontumi is allowed to make such reckless statements without any caution or call on him by his party to order.

The NDC Ashanti Regional activist said this time round Mr. Antwi Boasiako has crossed the line and must be severely dealt with. He noted that bastardising the top hierarchy of the police service portends dire consequences for the country’s security.

"He should be made to face the full rigors of the law for such derogatory remarks. If the IGP is corrupt, then we are all dead because he’s supposed to protect us. ...Yamoah Ponkor added.