Group Calls For Quizzing Defense Minister Over Military Invasion

Civil Society Organization, Right Alliance Africa (RAA) has called for the questioning of outgoing Minister of Defense, Dominic Nitiwul, over the invasion of the Chamber of Parliament by soldiers on the night of the election of a Speaker.

In a statement, the group called the invasion a ‘sacrilege’ and ‘disturbing’ saying the helmsman of the Military at the time must be questioned.

“We note that this sacrilegious attack on our democracy was made by the soldiers at a time that H.E. President Nana Akufo-Addo was no longer the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces. As the Military’s chain of command requires that soldiers only act on orders, the question is who gave the order?” the statement asked before adding, “our information is that the outgoing Minister of Defense, Dominic Nitiwul, gave the order.”

The statement was signed by Michael Sumaila Nlasia, Director of Communication of the RAA.

The invasion of the Chamber of Parliament by soldiers has been roundly condemned by many Ghanaians, including former President Mahama who has called it an, “abomination.”

Amidst an acrimonious voting process that led to the snatching of ballot papers at a point by the MP for Tema West, Carlos Ahenkorah, heavily armed soldiers charged into the Chamber of Parliament.

in the aftermath, there have been allegations that the order to the soldiers had been given by Dominic Nitiwul, who is quoted as saying, “clear everybody who stands in your way.”

According to the RAA, the development, “is a psychological dent on our democracy that we must purge as quickly as possible. we recommend questioning the Minister of Defense over this invasion as a first step to pacifying our democracy.”