AKWATIA, GHANA :A solemn occasion for mourning transformed into a scene of political hostility last Friday, as a one-week commemoration for the late Member of Parliament, Ernest Kumi, was marred by a mob attack on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) delegation. The NDC has now issued an ultimatum to the Ghana Police Service, demanding the immediate arrest of the perpetrators, or face the prospect of a citizen’s arrest by the party itself.
The incident unfolded despite the NDC’s official invitation to the event, delivered via a gold-plated card. A delegation led by National Chairman Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, and including the party’s parliamentary candidate for Akwatia, Hon. Bernard Bediako, was set upon by a mob of approximately 20 individuals. The attackers, allegedly supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), blocked the delegation from entering the funeral grounds, creating a chaotic and distressing scene.
Eyewitnesses report that the widow of the late Ernest Kumi was visibly distraught, breaking down in tears as she witnessed the “distasteful” display of political aggression at her husband’s funeral. The NDC’s statement, signed by Deputy Communication Officer Godwin Ako Gunn, highlights the profound emotional trauma inflicted on the grieving widow by the very party of her late husband.
The NDC’s demand for action is sharp and clear. They have called on the police to make arrests before Monday, September 1, 2025, or they will take matters into their own hands. “The police can not be seen speeding up arrest and prosecutions when it comes to the NDC and being lackadaisical when it comes to NPP,” the statement reads, referencing a perceived double standard in law enforcement. The party has offered to cooperate with the police until Sunday evening but warns of “incidents to deal with” if their demands are not met by Monday.
The perpetrators, many of whom were reportedly captured on video and are known within the communities of Boadua, Wenchi, Akwatia, and surrounding villages, remain at large. This brazen act of political thuggery, carried out at a memorial service, has ignited a firestorm of controversy and placed immense pressure on law enforcement to demonstrate its impartiality and commitment to justice. As the deadline looms, the nation watches to see whether the police will restore order and accountability, or if the NDC will follow through on its threat, potentially escalating an already tense political climate.
Sankofaonline
