Allotey Jacobs Blasts NDC Leadership; Says They Want Power Regardless of The Cost

Former Central Regional Chairman of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs, has lambasted organizers of the Arise Ghana demonstration which began yesterday and continued today.

The organizers comprising leaders of the NDC and the demonstrators had a violent clash with the Police as the protest turned chaotic with some of the protesters pelting stones at the Police guards, vandalizing their vehicles and burning tyres on the roads.

The Police have blamed the protesters for the violence and on the flip side, the protesters claim the Police ignited the clash.

"The Police have arrested 29 demonstrators for their participation in violent attacks on the Police and some members of the public including school children during the Arise Ghana demonstration in Accra" on Tuesday, June 28, a statement by the Police read.

It further said; "Also, the organisers of the demonstration will be arrested and put before court for the attacks and damage to public property, in line with the provisions of Section 3 of the Public Order Act, (Act 491)."

Addressing the issue on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" Wednesday morning, Allotey Jacobs was disappointed in the organizers who were primarily leading members of the NDC in the persons of the party's National  Communication Officer, Sammy Gyamfi; General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia and Chairman of the party, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo among other leaders.

He blamed Sammy Gyamfi and the others for the riotous protest as, to him, the onus lied on them to bring the protesters to order but they refused to do so in hope that they would discredit the Police.

He also believed the NDC leaders incited the protesters to confront the Police which gave the Police no option but to shoot tear gas to disperse them while the protesters were throwing stones and other objects at them.

Allotey opined that the NDC is desperate for power, hence wants to take it by force. 

"The very people who were leading the FixtheCountry are the very same people who are leading the Arise Ghana; moreso when you have NDC leadership. So the next thing is do they want to take power by force?"

He advised the NDC leaders to withdraw from the Arise Ghana demonstrators and allow the youth to voice their grievances without provoking the Police because, to him, the party leaders are the problem.

"I'd prefer the NDC leadership to withdraw. If they don't have any better job to do, they should stay home and sleep," he said.