Member of Parliament for Damongo, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has charged President John Dramani Mahama with taking control of the country’s security amid escalating post-election violence.
He urged the President to assume direct responsibility for ensuring law and order, stating, “Take charge, Mr. President, take charge.”
The former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources made these remarks while contributing to a statement presented by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin to the House on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Election violence
The statement referenced an attack on the Director-in-Charge of the Jubilee Lounge at Kotoka International Airport, Mr. George Boateng, who was allegedly beaten until he became unconscious a few days after the 2025 election results were declared.
Mr. Jinapor called on the President to take stronger action in curbing these violent incidents and urged law enforcement agencies, particularly the Ghana Police Service, to be empowered to respond effectively to such threats.
He argued that President Mahama, as the “Chief custodian of law and order”, has the primary responsibility to ensure peace and security in the country.
He lamented that the current situation signals a failure of leadership.
“The President must take charge of this situation. We are seeing lawlessness across the country, and if we do not address it now, it will only get worse,” Jinapor warned.
Jinapor described the attack on Mr. Boateng as deeply troubling, stating, “This was a direct assault on a state official, an officer of the state carrying out his responsibilities. We cannot allow such behaviour to continue unchecked.”
The Damongo MP did not limit his concerns to the attack on Mr. Boateng but also stressed other instances of lawlessness, particularly threats to state institutions and the government.
Jinapor pointed out a disturbing incident earlier this week at the Youth Employment Authority, where two individuals, allegedly linked to the ruling party, arrived with appointment letters from Jubilee House and were involved in a violent confrontation at the Authority’s headquarters.
“The youth of this country are being used as pawns in a game of political power. It is beyond troubling that individuals are using state apparatus to fuel violence and disorder,” Jinapor said.
Jinapor stressed the need for swift and decisive action to address what he called a “law and order issue.”
He cited multiple instances of violence, including the seizure of state property and attacks on military personnel, as clear signs of a breakdown in law and order.
“This is not about politics; this is about the rule of law. If individuals are attacking state officials and violating the peace of this country, the police must step in and ensure that justice is served. We cannot wait for things to escalate further,” he warned.
Resolution
He appealed to Parliament to pass a resolution calling for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the post-election violence, including the disruptions at the Electoral Commission’s headquarters and the subsequent unrest.
“The chaos we’ve seen is not an isolated incident. We need to understand how we got to this point of anarchy. A public inquiry is necessary to unravel the root causes and ensure accountability,” he argued.
Jinapor warned that if Parliament fails to act decisively, the country’s peace and stability will be at risk for all citizens.
“All of us, including members of this House, the religious community, civil society, and the media, will be at risk. We need to come together and demand action before it is too late,” he said.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com