The Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has condemned the actions of the Director of Special Duties at the National Security Secretariat Richard Jakpa, for leading armed men to raid the residence of the former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison.
Addressing a press conference at Parliament yesterday, Mr Afenyo-Markin, described the raid as an act of intimidation and lawlessness, targeted at appointees of the previous government.
He revealed that this was not the first of such incidents, citing a previous raid on the home of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
According to him, Mr Jakpa and his team stormed Dr Addison’s Roman Ridge residence at dawn, claiming to have a search warrant.
However, when asked about the purpose of their search, Jakpa allegedly stated that they were looking for a vault containing cash.
The armed men reportedly overpowered security personnel on-site and ransacked the house but found nothing.
Mr Afenyo-Markin further alleged that valuables, including GH¢10,000 in cash, as well as the former governor’s wife’s earrings and necklaces, were missing after the operation.
He also mentioned that three official vehicles belonging to Dr Addison were taken away but later abandoned at an undisclosed location.
Expressing concern over what he described as “politically motivated intimidation,” the Minority leader warned that such incidents could have serious consequences for democracy, investor confidence, and national security.
He stated that if appointees of a previous government could be treated this way, it could lead to self-protection mechanisms by citizens who feel threatened.
The Minority leader urged President John Dramani Mahama to take immediate steps to halt what he called acts of political vendetta, emphasising that while accountability was necessary, it must be pursued within the limits of the law.
He appealed to the President to ensure that his administration did not reduce Ghana into a lawless state.
The Minority leader also questioned the decision to dismantle Dr Addison’s CCTV monitor during the raid, arguing that if the operation was lawful, there would have been no need to interfere with security footage.
He concluded by calling for an end to the cycle of political intimidation, reminding the current administration that power was transient and that they should work towards strengthening democracy rather than undermining it.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
