Gen. Michael Opoku
Barely 17 days to the upcoming general elections, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made shocking allegations against Brigadier-General Michael Opoku, accusing him of masterminding a plot to rig the December 7 polls in favour of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Addressing a press conference in Accra, the NDC Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi lamented that Brigadier-General Opoku, currently the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces in Kumasi, has a history of involvement in election-related violence.
He said in 2019, Opoku, then Director of Operations at the National Security Secretariat, was implicated in the Ayawaso West Wugon by-election violence.
“The Emile Short Commission held him ultimately responsible for the atrocities. Despite this, President Akufo-Addo promoted Opoku to Brigadier-General and appointed him GOC of the Central Command” he noted.
The NDC alleges that Gen Opoku has been mandated by President Akufo-Addo to oversee a sophisticated election-rigging scheme, involving ballot stuffing, swapping of ballot boxes, and other clandestine activities.
They claim Michael Opoku has relocated his family to the UK and plans to unleash violence on NDC agents and supporters on voting day using NPP thugs trained at Asutsuare Military camp.
The NDC calls for Opoku’s immediate removal from his position, citing his notorious record and potential to compromise the electoral process.
They also urged the Inspector-General of Police to investigate and prevent another Techiman South-style violence.
With only just 3 weeks to the elections, the NDC expressed confidence in their victory, citing their superior presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, and his proven track record of sound economic management.
They emphasized the choice between Mahama’s honest leadership and Dr Bawumia’s alleged dishonesty and economic mismanagement.
The NDC concluded by reaffirming their commitment to peace and urging Ghanaians to join hands in condemning those who compromise free and fair elections.
Meanwhile, General, Michael Opoku is yet to respond to the allegations made against him by the Opposition NDC.
However a source close to him said Gen Opoku’s family is in Ghana and not in the UK as the NDC alleges.
BY Daniel Bampoe