Samuel Abu Jinapor, Member of Parliament for Damongo, has called on President John Dramani Mahama to assume direct control of the country’s security forces following a string of violent incidents after the 2025 election.
Speaking during a parliamentary session on Thursday, January 30, 2025, Jinapor urged the President to take immediate action to curb the violence that is threatening the peace and stability of the country.
Speaking in support of a statement made by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the former Minister for Lands and Natural Resources addressed recent violent outbreaks, including an assault on Mr. George Boateng, the Director-in-Charge of the Jubilee Lounge at Kotoka International Airport.
Boateng was reportedly beaten into unconsciousness shortly after the election results were announced.
“The President must take charge of this situation immediately. The lawlessness we are seeing now will only worsen if we do not act swiftly,” Jinapor said in his address.
The Damongo MP argued that the attack was symptomatic of a larger problem of lawlessness that the country is facing. “This was not just an attack on an individual; it was an attack on the state itself. We cannot tolerate these kinds of actions, and the government must respond decisively,” Jinapor stressed.
The MP noted that the attack occurred in the wake of a larger pattern of unrest that has affected various government agencies and institutions, further underscoring the growing security crisis.
“The youth are being manipulated and used to spread violence. It is incredibly troubling to see the state apparatus being abused in this way to create disorder,” Jinapor remarked, condemning the actions of those involved.
He called for a national response to the violence, stressing that the current unrest goes far beyond politics and is instead a matter of maintaining law and order.
He stressed the importance of restoring order and upholding the rule of law, warning that failure to act now could result in further destabilization. He made it clear that law enforcement agencies, especially the Ghana Police Service, must be empowered to take action against those perpetrating violence and disorder.
“This is not just a political issue, this is a law and order issue,” Jinapor emphasized. “We cannot allow the situation to escalate any further. The President and the security forces have to ensure that the rule of law is maintained and those responsible for these actions are held accountable.”
In addition to calling for stronger law enforcement measures, the Damongo MP urged Parliament to pass a resolution that would mandate a public inquiry into the violence surrounding the 2025 election.
This inquiry, he argued, would help uncover the underlying causes of the unrest and hold those responsible to account.
“We need to understand how we reached this point of chaos,” Jinapor said. “A public inquiry is necessary to ensure that justice is done and to prevent future occurrences.”
The Damongo MP further warned that if Parliament and the government do not take immediate action, the consequences for the country’s peace and stability could be dire.
“All of us – members of this House, the religious community, civil society, the media, and ordinary citizens – will all feel the effects of this unrest if we do not act now,” Jinapor stated. “We must come together and demand that this situation be addressed before it is too late.”
Jinapor reiterated his call for President Mahama to take charge of the situation and reminded the House that the most fundamental responsibility of a President is to ensure the safety and security of the nation, urging Mahama to act decisively in the face of mounting violence.
“The President must take charge, Mr. President, take charge,” Jinapor stressed.
