The Alliance For Footsoldiers Advocacy (AFFA) has called for the arrest of the National Women’s Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Hannah Louisa Bissiw after allegedly declaring her readiness to train vigilantes for election 2024.
In an interview with Onua FM on Monday, February 21, 22, the former Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture is reported to have said that she is willing to do everything in her power to protect ballot boxes for the opposition party in the 2024 general elections.
Dr. Hannah Bissiw is reported to have stressed, “I will personally lead the training for these vigilante groups who will, in turn, serve as the ‘bird’s eye’ for the NDC to ensure that the ballots are protected in 2024.”
Appalled by the comments of the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Tano South, AFFA has issued a statement calling on the Police to arrest her immediately.
AFFA notes that it is of the considered view that the above comments by the National Women’s Organizer of the NDC contravene subsection (1) of the Vigilantism and Related Offenses Act, 2019, (Act 999), and same must be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“To the extent that Hannah Bissiw who is a former Member of Parliament for Tano South Constituency is heard promoting the formation of a vigilante group which has been outlawed in Ghana is a serious matter which cannot and must not be treated lightly,” part of the AFFA statement signed by its Executive Secretary Mr. D. T. Adomako has said.
The release from AFFA concludes, “It is on the back of this that we invite the Ghana Police Service to initiate investigations and prosecution of this matter to serve as a deterrent to all misguided politicians. We finally call on peace-loving citizens, the clergy, and civil society organizations to add their voices in condemning irresponsible and reprehensible utterances, including coup mongering which has characterized our airwaves lately to safeguard the peace and security of this nation.”
Read the full release from the Alliance For Footsoldiers Advocacy below:
February 22, 2022
To: All Media Houses
ARREST AND PROSECUTE HANNAH BISSIW – AFFA TO POLICE
Alliance For Footsoldiers Advocacy (AFFA) has noted with bewilderment warlike comments made by Dr. Hannah Louisa Bissiw, the National Women’s Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking in an interview on Accra-based Onua 91.5 FM on Monday, February 21, 2022, Bissiw said inter alia, “I will personally lead the training for these vigilante groups who will in turn serve as the ‘bird’s eye’ for the NDC to ensure that the ballots are protected in 2024.”
AFFA is of the considered view that the above comments by the National Women’s Organizer of the NDC contravenes subsection (1) of the Vigilantism and Related Offenses Act, 2019, (Act 999), and same must be dealt with in accordance with law.
For the avoidance of doubt, section (3) of the Vigilantism and Related Offenses Act, Act 999 states, “(1) A person shall not directly or indirectly; (a) form, organize, operate or (b) promote the formation, organization, operation or activities of a vigilante group. Section (2) further adds, “A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offense and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment not less than ten years and not more than fifteen years.”
To the extent that Hannah Bissiw who is a former Member of Parliament for Tano South Constituency is heard promoting the formation of a vigilante group which has been outlawed in Ghana is a serious matter which CANNOT and MUST NOT be treated lightly.
It is on the back of this that we invite the Ghana Police Service to initiate investigations and prosecution of this matter to serve as a deterrent to all misguided politicians. We finally call on peace-loving citizens, the clergy and civil society organizations to add their voices in condemning irresponsible and reprehensible utterances, including coup mongering which have characterized our airwaves lately to safeguard the peace and security of this nation.
Signed.
Mr. D. T. Adomako (Sir Obama Pokuase)
Executive Secretary, AFFA
