A raid on the residence of former Bank of Ghana Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison by National Security operatives has sparked widespread concern and condemnation.
The Rambo style raid was led by Richard Jakpa, a dismissed soldier who styled himself as Director of Special Operations at the National Security.
Jakpa had visited similar ordeal on Ken Ofori-Atta, former Finance Minister on February 11, 2025, when he stormed his residence with his gun wielding gang and took away personal items.
Similar thing was recorded at the BoG governor’s residence as the operatives allegedly took away money, jewellery, cars and other personal items by the time they were done.
The attacks on the appointees of the immediate past administration appear to the endorsement of President John Mahama as he keeps when his boys in the name of national security run riot.
According to National Security officials, they had obtained a search warrant before entering Dr. Addison’s Roman Ridge home.
They claimed that they had intelligence, suggesting that the former governor was in possession of funds belonging to the central bank.
“We did not take any money or jewellery from Dr. Addison’s home. We will, in due course, make public a full list of items retrieved during the search,” a National Security source stated.
Jakpa and his gang to avoid being filmed disconnected the CCTV in the house and allegedly took away the server.
They also drove away four cars from the house.
Minority Concerns
This statement has been disputed by Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who alleged that the operatives stole cash and valuable items, including GHC10,000, during the raid.
“Some GHC10,000 on his bed could not be found. So some of these hungry party foot soldiers they use who parade themselves as National Security operatives are, after all, perhaps not being paid, and they use this opportunity to steal,” Afenyo-Markin said.
He further alleged that the security personnel also stole earrings and necklaces belonging to Dr. Addison’s wife.
“The governor’s wife’s earrings and necklaces were also not traced. They couldn’t be found. In other words, those operatives stole these earrings and necklaces,” Afenyo-Markin added.
He condemned the raid, describing it as unlawful and an abuse of power. “Ghana is a matured democracy and we should do better,” he said.
Afenyo-Markin called on President Mahama to immediately take action to rein in the operatives involved.
“President John Dramani Mahama, please leave a legacy. Let it be said that even if there were excesses in the exercise of executive power when you had the opportunity, you changed it for good. Own that legacy in your name. We are tired of the intimidation, the attacks, and the hypocrisy,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
Okatakyie Afrifa Arrest
In a similar development, National Security operatives on Wednesday evening arrested media personality Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah in a Rambo style in traffic on the GIMPA road.
According to report, he was questioned for accusing the National Security of being involved in the ongoing galamsey activities across the country’s forest reserves.
Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah was later released on Wednesday at midnight, but not before his arrest sparked concerns about press freedom and government intimidation.
Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah had earlier taken to Facebook to share his ordeal, stating, “STATE-SPONSORED TERROR AGAINST ME: AN INCIDENT OF INTIMIDATION. I am drawing attention to a disturbing incident that occurred last night”.
He recounted how he was being followed by two cars, one of which was a Range Rover without a number plate. “The driver driving the KIA feigned making a call in an attempt to avoid confrontation.
However, the driver of the Range Rover whom we confronted, claimed that he was a National Service person,” he wrote.
Government Defence
Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney General Justice Srem-Sai defended the raid, asserting that it was conducted lawfully.
“We take responsibility for the search that happened. We want to make it clear that those searches and the mode in which they were done were in accordance with the law. Warrants were procured and used,” Justice Srem-Sai stated.
Shamima Muslim, a deputy spokesperson for the government, stated that the raid on Dr. Addison’s home was part of an information-gathering process.
“Once we follow due process, we should have no problem,” she said, emphasizing the importance of following the law in such operations.
The raid on Dr. Addison’s home is not an isolated incident.
On February 11, 2025, National Security operatives raided the residence of former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
The Minority in Parliament has strongly condemned the raids, describing them as “dastardly” acts.
The New Patriotic Party has also condemned the serial attacks.
–BY Daniel Bampoe
