The National Democratic Congress’ youth wing, has called for the immediate removal of what it calls party thugs and bandits from the country’s security agencies.

The youth wing made the call in its petition to Parliament after their ‘March for Justice’ demonstration held on Tuesday, July 6, 2021.

There have been growing concerns about the use of the military for civil events that should ordinarily be handled by the police.

The incidents that have angered many include the killing of some Ghanaians during the 2020 election, the invasion of Parliament by soldiers, the latest killing of two persons, and the injuring of four others who were protesting at Ejura in the Ashanti Region, and the brutalization of some residents of the Upper West Region in Wa by some soldiers over a supposed stolen phone.

The group believes the attacks are a result of the “deliberate mismanagement and militarization of our society by the current government to instill fear and anxiety in the citizenry”.

The group thus made some specific demands it believes will tackle insecurity under the governing NPP:

• An immediate removal of all bandits and party thugs, integrated into the country’s security agencies.
• A full-scale bipartisan parliamentary inquiry into all the incidents recounted in our petition and a faithful implementation of all recommendations, especially the punishment of all perpetrators.
• Immediate reform of the security agencies, with emphasis on modern methods of security provision and a de-emphasis of the Militarization of mundane security operations.
• The holding to account of all relevant government officials who have failed to act in the face of glaring evidence in the cases we have recounted.

The group also tasked the Speaker to lead an effort to root out “violence, lawlessness and impunity under the governing NPP.”

“The nonchalance and aloofness towards these incidents by the President and his government are no longer tenable.”

The youth, after the demonstration through the principal streets of Accra, presented their petition to the presidency, and later to Parliament.

After deliberations from the leaders of Parliament on the demands in the petition, the First Deputy Speaker ruled that a decision on the steps to be taken regarding the petition will be firmed up in the coming days.

Thousands of members and sympathizers of the opposition Democratic Congress (NDC), participated in the protest march that saw them walk from the Accra Mall through Opeibea, the Lands Commission office, Christ the King Church and the Flagstaff House, before proceeding to Parliament.

The supporters, most of whom were clad in red and black, sang and chanted with various placards communicating their grievances.