Koku Anyidoho
The police yesterday arrested foul-mouthed opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) deputy general secretary, Koku Anyidoho, for allegedly plotting to overthrow the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
On Monday Mr Anyidoho, in what looked like a show of bravado, declared on radio that he was leading a movement to overthrow President Akufo-Addo’s government and even went to the extent of saying that the ‘uprising’ is commencing today (Wednesday).
The deputy general secretary, who was subsequently arrested and detained, has been charged with treason.
“Somebody should tell Nana Addo (President Akufo-Addo) that history has a very interesting way of repeating itself,” he boasted on Happy FM, adding, “On the 13th of January, 1972, a certain Colonel Ignatius Kutu Acheampong led an insurrection that removed the Progress Party from power. Busia was the Prime Minister and Akufo-Addo’s father was the ceremonial President.”
Civilian Coup d’état
He proclaimed, “There will be a civilian coup d’état. There will be a social revolution. We are starting it on Wednesday. The movement is starting on Wednesday. Nana Addo will have sleepless nights. He will suffer diarrhea. He said he wanted to be president, but we will make sure he will be fed up on the seat.”
When the host drew his attention to the fact that he was entering into a ‘dangerous arena’ with his comments, Koku Anyidoho insisted, “History has a way of repeating itself. There will be a civil revolt, there will be a people’s movement!”
Treasonable Act
The comments sparked heated debate on radio and other social media platforms where some condemned him outright whilst others even called for his immediate arrest and prosecution.
Press Conference
He appeared to have gone into hiding after the comment when it became apparent that the security agencies were on his heels.
In a dramatic fashion, he resurfaced at the International Press Centre in Accra – which is not too far from the Police Headquarters – to hold a press conference on the Ghana/United States Military Cooperation Agreement that was ratified by parliament last Friday.
The media announcement, which was signed by Koku Anyidoho on behalf of a group he called All Progressive Forces, read, “All Progressive Forces in Ghana shall gather at the International Press Center, tomorrow, Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at 11am, to engage the press in relation to the impending massive demonstration on Wednesday, as regards President Akufo-Addo and his NPP MPs’ despicable attempt to sell off Ghana’s independence and dignity to Donald Trump’s Shithole American interest. Come one; come all!”
Press Centre Drama
The police was almost swerved on the whereabouts of Koku Anyidoho in the initial stages when some NDC sympathizers created the impression that the press conference being held to denounce the Military Cooperation Agreement was going to take place at the Freedom Centre at Kokomlemle, Accra, where the NDC elements often plan their demonstrations.
The police, some in plain clothes, then stormed the press centre but waited for Anyidoho and his gang to finish their address to the media and then pounced on him.
Initially, he sat in the police vehicle but changed his mind and said he was going to walk with the policemen to the CID headquarters.
The police obliged and followed him in the company of some opposition elements to the headquarters.
Notable among those who accompanied him were NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia aka General Mosquito, who was wearing a green and white smock and the People’s National Convention (PNC) Chairman, Bernard Mornah – who was recently detained by the police for leading some Togolese opposition elements to demonstrate in Accra without permit.
Earlier Comments
DAILY GUIDE understands that Koku Anyidoho started his treasonable comments last Friday when parliament was considering the Joint Military Cooperation Agreement.
He had served notice on radio during recess that it would be in the interest of President Akufo-Addo and his NPP government not to ratify the agreement and added that if that happened, they were going to make Ghana ungovernable.
Mosquito’s Version
Even the party’s General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia (Gen Mosquito) appeared to have endorsed Koku Anyidoho’s comments last Friday when he tried to link it to the political situation in neighbouring Togo.
He had said specifically that when there were political disturbances in Togo that government brought in French troops, who he claimed are still in that country, and as a result of their presence, the opposition parties are not able to remove President Faure Gnassingbé and his government from office.
Gen Mosquito said the French troops were in Togo because of the military pact that country has with France and implied that if Ghana signs a similar thing with the US, it might make it difficult for adventurists to remove the government here.
NDC Gurus
Later, NDC Chairman Kofi Portuphy stormed the police headquarters to show solidarity with Koku Anyidoho.
Betty Mould-Iddrisu, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice under whose tenure Alfred Agbesi Woyome was allowed to cash GH¢51.2 million for no work done per the declaration of the Supreme Court, as well as Felix Kwakye Ofosu, former deputy minister who is noted for his verbal attacks on President Akufo-Addo, were there to also lend their support.
Koku was later sent to his house by the police to search the place.
Scores of NDC supporters had partially blocked the Osu-Ring Road in front of the police headquarters, despite the presence of heavily armed police personnel.
As a result, there was heavy traffic on the route from Kwame Nkrumah Circle to Osu.
CID Boss
Later, CID Director General, DCOP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo Danquah, confirmed the arrest of Koku Anyidoho to DAILY GUIDE and said he was going to be “interrogated.”
She underscored, “We have to find out. Maybe, somebody is planning something evil. We will analyse and assess his statements and make sure that the citizens of this country are protected.”
Gov’t Reacts
Meanwhile, the government has condemned Koku Anyidoho’s “treasonable” comments, saying it is worrying that the NDC is reluctant to condemn its member.
A statement issued in Accra and signed by Dr. Mustapha Abdul Hamid, Information Minister, said, “We find the NDC’s reluctance to condemn Anyidoho as particularly disturbing because Anyidoho alleged that ‘the coup’ is starting on Wednesday,’ and we know that the demonstration on Wednesday has the full endorsement of the NDC.
“It is, therefore, important that the NDC demonstrates its commitment to democratic governance by showing that the Wednesday demonstration is not a smokescreen for fomenting insurrection as Anyidoho claims.”
The statement assured the public that the government “will take appropriate steps within the bounds of the law to protect the security of the state.”
By William Yaw Owusu