Restrict Azorka Boys From Gaining Access To Congress Grounds - Dr Aning

Dr. Kofi Aning, Head of Research at the Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Centre is against the idea of allowing some 1,800 members of the Azorka Boys based in Tamale to help in providing security during this weekend�s delegate�s congress of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Mohammed Ayuba, Commander of the �Azorka Boys� in Tamale says he will be leading about 1,800 of his �troops� to Sunyani. He says the move is to complement national security apparatus operations in Sunyani before, during and after the highly anticipated NDC congress to ensure that nothing untoward happens. Speaking to the issue in an interview on Citi FM, Dr. Aning reminded the Ghana Police service of the fact that they are the only authorized security outfit allowed to offer protection and maintain law and order in this country. He pointed out that the Azorka boys have no right to come to the stadium with the idea of providing security to the people in Sunyani. �I don�t think that Azorka Boys are mandated to provide security for anybody. The Ghana Police Service must make that very clear, that the only institution to protect life and property is the Police Service�it is critical that the Police Service demonstrate in no uncertain terms that they (Police) are willing and capable of protecting the citizens of this country as we head for election 2012...They shouldn�t entertain them, under what mandate are the Azorka Boys going to provide security? Who has given them that mandate?� he questioned. Snippets of information emanating from the Northern Region indicate that horse whips have run out of stock. It is alleged that majority of the people who have these horse whips are the Azorka boys. Dr. Aning is therefore advising the police service not to allow anyone without accreditation into the congress grounds. He appealed to the police to issue a statement warning against the welding of any sharp object or anything that can be used to intimidate Sunyani residents.