The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has issued a strong demand for the immediate removal of Brigadier General Michael Opoku from his role as General Officer Commanding (GOC) Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces. The opposition party alleges that Brigadier General Opoku’s history of controversial actions poses a serious threat to the security and integrity of the upcoming 2024 elections.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, November 19, NDC’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, accused Brigadier General Opoku of harboring a "notorious" track record that disqualifies him from holding such a critical position. Gyamfi cited his alleged involvement in orchestrating violence during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election as a glaring example of misconduct.
“This man carries the mayhem and brutality he supervised at Ayawaso West Wuogon as a badge of dishonor. In an environment where Ghanaians are clamoring for peaceful elections, someone with his history has no business being in such a sensitive role,” Gyamfi remarked.
He further expressed the party's concerns about the potential influence Brigadier General Opoku might wield in the 2024 general elections, describing him as a "devious character" capable of undermining Ghana’s democratic processes.
### Allegations of Election Manipulation
The NDC also accused Brigadier General Opoku of collaborating with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in efforts to manipulate election outcomes. According to Gyamfi, the NDC has credible intelligence indicating plans to use military influence to rig elections in key constituencies, including the Ashanti Region.
“The NDC wishes to serve notice to Brigadier General Opoku and his collaborators within the NPP that their agenda will not succeed. We are monitoring their activities with eagle eyes, and this time around, violence will not determine the outcome of the elections,” Gyamfi asserted.
He called on Ghana’s security agencies, particularly the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, to ensure that no individual undermines the authority of the police during the electoral process.
“The IGP owes a duty to the people of Ghana to act firmly and impartially. He must ensure that no group or individual replicates the lawlessness we witnessed in Techiman South during the 2020 elections, where innocent lives were lost,” Gyamfi emphasized.
### Demand for Accountability
The NDC also appealed to the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Thomas Oppong-Peprah, to investigate the allegations against Brigadier General Opoku and hold him accountable for any misconduct. The party stressed that any attempt to repeat past incidents of election violence would not be tolerated.
“Elections are about counting heads, not cutting heads. No Ghanaian should lose their life in the name of politics. The people of Ghana will hold the IGP, the Chief of Defence Staff, and other security heads personally responsible for any loss of life during the 2024 elections,” the NDC warned.
The party also reminded security agencies that Ghanaians are still waiting for justice for the eight individuals who were killed during the 2020 elections, particularly those who were shot in broad daylight at Techiman South.
### A Call for Peaceful Elections
Sammy Gyamfi reiterated the NDC’s commitment to ensuring peaceful elections in 2024 but stressed that this would only be possible if security agencies remained impartial. He assured Ghanaians that the NDC would cooperate fully with law enforcement to maintain peace but would not hesitate to expose and resist any attempts to subvert the democratic process.
“The IGP and the Elections Security Task Force must work diligently to ensure that every Ghanaian feels safe to exercise their right to vote without intimidation or fear of violence. We stand ready to support these efforts but will fiercely oppose any form of election malpractice,” Gyamfi stated.
### Justice for Victims of Election Violence
In their address, the NDC urged the government and security agencies to prioritize justice for the families of those who lost their lives in the 2020 elections. The party described the deaths as a tragic reminder of the consequences of political violence and called for reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“The blood of those innocent Ghanaians cries out for justice. We must learn from the mistakes of the past and take bold steps to ensure that no family has to mourn a loved one due to political ambition,” Gyamfi added.
The NDC concluded by urging Ghanaians to remain vigilant and demand accountability from their leaders as the nation prepares for the critical 2024 elections. They emphasized that safeguarding the democratic process is a collective responsibility and called on all stakeholders to work together to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election.
This latest call by the NDC adds to the growing debate about the role of security agencies in Ghana’s elections, with concerns about their impartiality becoming a recurring issue. Whether the demands for Brigadier General Michael Opoku’s removal will be heeded remains to be seen, but the NDC’s statements have certainly intensified scrutiny on the upcoming electoral process.
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