1,500 Cops To Police NDC Congress

Operational details are emerging on exactly how the Police administration intends to provide what one Police Chief calls �water-tight security for the July 8-10 Congress� of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC). As much as 1500 riot Police will be deployed in the Brong-Ahafo Regional Capital of Sunyani ahead of the weekend�s polls to elect a new leader for the governing party. Deployment is to begin on Thursday; the very day that delegates of the NDC will start trooping to Sunyani for the big event. Hundreds of other armed national security agents will also be at the congress venue and also on the streets of the regional capital. The tight security measures are being adopted for the three-day-event for fear of possible outbreak of trouble during an upcoming congress preceded by a vicious assassination attempt on the Ashanti regional Chairman of the ruling party. Police say Yaw Obimpeh survived an attempt on his life on the night of June 30, after unknown gunmen attacked his vehicle at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Roundabout in Kumasi. The gunmen opened fire on the vehicle, but missed the NDC Regional boss, who sped to the KNUST police station to seek refuge. The attack came weeks after he had received text messages that warned him to stay away from this year�s June 4 anniversary which was held in Kumasi. The messages were believed to have come from supporters of Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, but the former first lady�s camp has denied the allegations. Giving assurance of reliable security at the congress grounds, Police Operations Chief, DCOP John Kudalor said �there will be effective policing. The protection of life and property is supreme and we will ensure that nothing untoward happens�. DCOP Kudalor declined to give numerical details of the strength of the Police force to be deployed in Sunyani, but said �we will saturate the grounds with enough men to provide effective security for everyone.� He said special attention will be given to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, given the �recent attempt on his life.� The Police Operations Chief, who is scheduled to leave for Sunyani on Wednesday, warned: �There will be no room for trouble makers,� adding that surveillance cameras will be mounted at the venue to monitor the activities of any group of people who intend to spark trouble. Already an advance team of personnel from Accra are in Sunyani for retraining ahead of the congress. �They will be going through the drill again on effective policing and riot control,� DCOP Kudalor told this reporter, explaining that: �Our main aim is to guard against reactionary elements who may be working behind the scenes to disturb the peace and smooth running of congress.� Police Operations at the Congress venue will be under the direct command of Brong Ahafo Regional Police Boss, DCOP Robert Ayalingo. He will however be supervised by DCOP John Kudalor. NDC Youth are notorious for sparking trouble at internal party elections. At the Legon Congress of the NDC nearly a decade ago, there were reports of brutal physical assault on the then NDC Member of Parliament for Amenfi West, Hon Kofi Asante, by angry NDC youth. He subsequently resigned his position from the party. In December 2005, a vigilante group of NDC youth known AZORKA boys attacked the former Women's Organiser of the party, Frances Ewurabena Asiam at the party�s congress, until Police intervened to whisk her away. Frances Essiam later resigned together with some other party big shots, including former General Secretary, Bede Ziedeng and Former Chairman Dr. Obed Asamoah. They later formed the Democratic Freedom party. In June, the spokesperson for the erstwhile Armed Forces Revolutionary Council, (AFRC), Major Boakye Gyan (rtd) asked the Mills administration to keep an eagle�s eye on former President Jerry Rawlings after the former coup-leader made what the retired army major considered potentially �treasonable comments� at this year�s June 4 celebration in Kumasi. He told Citi FM that Mr Rawlings� allusion to �taking over� or �cleaning up the government� should not be taken lightly. He added that ex President Rawlings may be sowing the seeds for a violent takeover of the reins of government. �What I recall he said was that, they [Rawlingses] need to take over the party, the government and clean it up and thereafter hand it over to a more responsible leader. This is a recipe for a coup�the man is preparing to take over by unlawful means, by a coup d��tat,� he told Citi FM.