NDC Professionals Forum USA Leader Calls Arrests at OccupyJulorbiHouse Protest a National Security Failure

Arnold Appiah, president of the NDC Professionals Forum USA, said the arrest and alleged brutalisation of demonstrators and journalists on the first day of the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protest constitutes a “national security failure on the part of government”.

“national security failure on the part of government”.

Speaking via Zoom on a panel discussion hosted by the Professionals Forum on Class 91.3 FM in Accra, Appiah argued that the government did not anticipate the protest and that since taking power “their agenda has been to suppress people to allow them to operate the way want, that no one can question them”.

“their agenda has been to suppress people to allow them to operate the way want, that no one can question them”.

He claimed the Akufo‑Addo administration has placed loyalists in state institutions to manipulate outcomes, citing the Agyapa deal: “If you look at the mindset of this government in their Agyapa deal itself they stated that they would have to ensure that they put their people at every authority they can find in the country.”

“If you look at the mindset of this government in their Agyapa deal itself they stated that they would have to ensure that they put their people at every authority they can find in the country.”

Appiah further accused the government of a “grand scheme” to enrich itself, saying: “It is a grand scheme of the president and his administration to do so while they continue to loot the country, while they continue to have corruption in a wide spree and no one would have a word to say to them.”

“It is a grand scheme of the president and his administration to do so while they continue to loot the country, while they continue to have corruption in a wide spree and no one would have a word to say to them.”

He alleged that national security agencies are buying institutions and individuals to silence criticism and criticised the president’s remarks at the United Nations, noting the leader could not “repair your people with resources you have”.

“repair your people with resources you have”.

While expressing concern about growing youth apathy during demonstrations, Appiah praised participants of the protest and urged traditional rulers and clergy to speak up for Ghanaian youth.