Abraham Amaliba, the National Democratic Congress's (NDC) Director of Conflict Resolution, stated that no government should be blamed for aggressive arrests by Ghana's security agencies. He rejected claims that successive governments are responsible for these 'Rambo-style' operations. Amaliba highlighted that security agencies operate independently and cannot be directly influenced by any government.
The legal practitioner explained that security agencies themselves conduct these forceful arrests. He does not support dramatic styles of arrest, noting that anyone could become a victim. Amaliba revealed he has personally observed concerning practices at the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) when accompanying individuals there. He emphasized the need for political parties to cease blaming governments for security actions.
This discussion gained traction after EOCO arrested Dennis Edward Aboagye, known as 'Miracles,' at the Accra International Airport. Aboagye is the former Executive Secretary of the Inter-Ministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralisation (IMCCoD). Following his arrest, supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) protested at EOCO, demanding his release. Some alleged high-level instructions influenced the decision to deny him bail, bringing the issue of aggressive arrests to public debate again.
Amaliba, speaking on Adom FM's Burning Issues, stressed that security agencies are independent actors. He asserted that no one can directly influence their operations. His views diverge from those who frequently attribute such security actions to political directives from the ruling party. This stance provides an important counter-narrative to the common political accusations surrounding security operations in Ghana.
Amaliba urged political parties to collaborate to address concerns surrounding arrest procedures collectively. He called for a unified effort to end the culture of 'Rambo-style' arrests. This approach aims to depoliticize the issue and focus on systemic improvements. The implications suggest a call for institutional reform within Ghana's security sector, fostering greater accountability and adherence to due process protocols. Decision-makers and civil society groups will likely scrutinize future security operations more closely.