The home of Hon. Mustapha Ussif, former Minister of Youth and Sports and Member of Parliament for the Yagaba/Kubori Constituency, was reportedly attacked by a group of individuals believed to be aligned with the National Democratic Congress (NDC). This shocking act of lawlessness occurred amidst growing concerns over the escalating insecurity in the country.
In a statement delivered on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday 22nd January, Hon. Ussif expressed deep concern about the state of security following the peaceful transition of power to President John Dramani Mahama. He disclosed that his residence had been targeted by hooligans who unleashed mayhem, underscoring the threats faced by public officials and innocent Ghanaians.
“These hooligans have unleashed unrestrained mayhem on public institutions and innocent citizens,” Hon. Ussif lamented. “In my constituency, they attacked the district assembly office, locked up the premises, and chased out the staff. My residence was not spared either.”
Hon. Ussif’s comments come in the wake of numerous reports of violent actions attributed to supporters of the NDC in various parts of the country. He criticized the government and the Ghana Police Service, led by Inspector-General Dr. George Akufo Dampare, for their failure to take decisive action despite the availability of evidence on social media showing brazen acts of lawlessness.
“A peaceful Ghana was handed over to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama,” Hon. Ussif emphasized. “Ghanaians were going about their duties peacefully, but today, thugs are chasing people out of their offices. This is a serious threat to our nation’s peace and stability.”
The attack on the former Minister’s residence has drawn widespread condemnation, with calls for President Mahama to publicly denounce the violence and take swift measures to restore order. Hon. Ussif urged the government to act immediately, saying, “The time to act is now, to preserve the peace of our country.”
Ghanaians have expressed mixed reactions to the incident, with some blaming political rhetoric for fueling tensions. The slogan “Rhetoric Reset,” popularized by the ruling party, has been cited by some as a possible catalyst for the unrest.
The police have yet to release an official statement on the attack, but the growing insecurity threatens to overshadow the goodwill generated by the peaceful 2024 elections. Citizens are calling on authorities to prioritize law and order to ensure the safety of all Ghanaians, regardless of their political affiliations.
For now, the people of Yagaba and beyond are left grappling with the uneasy reality of heightened political violence in what was once a beacon of peace and stability in West Africa.