A retired police officer and Member of Parliament for Wa West, Superintendent Peter Lanchene Toobu, has criticized the use of firearms in the lead-up to elections.
According to him, “guns in elections are not good for our democracy,” stating that there is a vast difference between the politicization of the security services and the politics of security, and he warned that confusion between the two can lead to serious issues.
“The politics of security is different from the politicization of security services. A line must be drawn: let’s do politics that promotes our country, but let us not politicize our security services,” he said on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Tuesday, October 29.
His remarks follow a violent incident involving the Agona West NPP Constituency Nasara Coordinator, Haruna Rashid, who was shot during a campaign clash in Agona Nyarkrom, Central Region.
The incident occurred around 9 p.m. while Rashid was traveling with the convoy of Agona West NPP Parliamentary Candidate Chris Arthur. Three other individuals were injured in the clash.
According to police sources, supporters of Chris Arthur and Cynthia Morrison, a rival candidate, encountered each other while campaigning in the same area.
Tensions escalated when Arthur’s convoy encountered a roadblock allegedly set up by Morrison’s supporters.
As the convoy tried to turn back, shots were fired, and Rashid, who also serves as Arthur’s campaign manager, was struck in the ribs.
In light of this, Superintendent Toobu stressed that elections come and go, but impunity persists when those in power fail to enforce the law effectively.
He explained that when the state shows an inability to protect its citizens, individuals are likely to take matters into their own hands by seeking personal security.
He cited previous incidents, such as the shooting involving Mavis Hawa Koomson, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, and the licensed firearm use by Phyllis Naa Koryoo Okunor, the NDC’s Parliamentary Candidate for Awutu Senya East, both of which went unaddressed.
“So it tells you the state itself must be proactive to be fair to its citizenry, and everybody will respect the law,” he said.
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