Information reaching us indicates that some National Democratic Congress (NDC) hoodlums or hooligans have taken the law into their own hands.
They are on the rampage, vandalising anything representing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and ransacking government offices because of last Saturday’s electoral outcome.
It was a change not triggered through a coup but a democratic process. Nonetheless, these lawless elements masquerading as NDC supporters have decided to behave like in the dark days when the military overthrew constitutionally elected governments.
The last time Ghana experienced this kind of hooliganism was in 2008 when the late President Mills was elected, but that experience pales into insignificance compared to what the NDC hoodlums are doing now.
The activities of these NDC miscreants are no longer related to elections, but pure criminality being perpetrated by criminals under the guise of NDC foot soldiers.
While we still have a government in place until January 7, the NDC elements are moving from place to place to loot state assets. It is amazing that at the time of going to press, former President John Mahama who pledged to uphold peace before, during and after the general election, and even gave a condition to do so provided the polls were free and fair, has not uttered a word about the widespread lawlessness being carried out by the hoodlums believed to be NDC supporters.
Except for a few disturbances last Saturday, the elections were conducted in an atmosphere of peace and fairness. It is in this vein that we are worried about the loud silence from the NDC who have refused to call out the marauding NDC youth.
We are worried that the widespread lawlessness or apparent breakdown of law and order is happening at a time when the presidential candidate of the ruling NPP, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has conceded defeat and congratulated the candidate of the NDC, John Mahama.
We wonder what the NDC wants now, after promising the people heavens and raised expectations so high to the extent that the idle hands think they must loot state property to survive.
Now other characters have joined the hoodlums by issuing orders as if the NDC is already at the helm.
A character like Hopeson Yaovi Adorye has suddenly become an NDC activist, issuing threats of arrest of Akufo-Addo appointees.
These elements are on record to have issued orders that appointees of the sitting government should not be allowed to travel abroad until they have been prosecuted for alleged corruption. Ghana is at the crossroads and it is important for leadership across the national spectrum to speak up against the breakdown of law and order.
And we think that the sense of insecurity the NDC is visiting on some state installations and they are not being called to order is sickening and nauseating.
We ask John Mahama whether this break down of law and order is the beginning of his resetting agenda?
We are at this stage asking Ghanaians to get ready for more turbulent times in the coming days with the NDC at the helm.
We have time and again reminded the people to be wary of the NDC, the political party that claims to have been formed out of violent antecedents. It is for this reason that we are not the least surprised about the wanton destruction of state property across the country.
While the peace, security and stability of the country are at risk, the so-called civil society groups are looking on apparently enjoying the cantata. These groups, including the media that were loud before the elections concerning the need to maintain the peace, have become spectators as the lawlessness unfolds before us, instead of becoming active citizens and rein in the NDC hoodlums.
Last Saturday’s democratic exercise was purely a civil action, as such the NDC leadership should get its rank and file to behave in conformity with established norms in civilised societies. Ghana is not at war; we just acted in accordance with our constitution to form a new government, and the processes towards a peaceful transition or transfer of power must be made to work.