GHANEP Not Happy With Politically-Motivated Crimes

The Ghana Network for Peace Building (GHANEP), has expressed concerned about the increasing rate of youth involvement in violent crimes most of which are politically motivated. It also raised concerned about the increasing rate of armed robbery in the country and called on the security agencies to expedite action to deal with the situation to ensure peace and security. This was contained in a press release issued in Tamale by Mr Justin Bayor, National Network Co-ordinator of GHANEP. "This security brief forms part of the regular quarterly security briefs that GHANEP issues, as a direct consequence of the National Early Warning System that GHANEP operates and also to commemorate the occasion of the International Day of Peace which fell on September 19," the release said. It urged the youth to desist from any form of violence, be it political, religious, chieftaincy or land related and focus on issues of national development. The release listed the flash points in September as Jirapa, Nyoli and Tumu, in the Upper West Region, Walewale, Tamale and its suburbs; Nyankpala, Bamvim, Lamashegu, and Karaga, in the Northern Region, Asokore in the Ashanti Region, Atiwa in the Eastern Region, and Osu in the Greater Accra Region and Sakom in Bawku- Upper East Region. "The system also recorded increasing cases of or plans to commit armed robbery including highway robberies in areas including Accra, Sunyani, Agona-Swedru and Nkwanta". The release touched on high numbers of highway accidents resulting in massive loss of lives, saying it pose a security threat nationwide and therefore require a collective and holistic approach to reverse the situation. GHANEP urged politicians who sponsor the youth to purchase weapons and ammunitions to desist from such acts because those gadgets negatively empower them to commit violent crimes and other offences. The release appealed to the youth to eschew violence and not allow themselves to be used by others to achieve their selfish interests. It asked them to report anybody who may want to influence them to perpetrate violent acts to the security agencies.