The National Peace Council (NPC) has called for concerted efforts to address emerging threats, exemplified by the recent apprehension of individuals suspected of links to Russia’s Wagner mercenary group.
The NPC views these arrests as a wake-up call for both security agencies and the general populace. The Western Regional Police Command is currently prosecuting three youths from Diabene in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, who were allegedly involved in a public gathering while displaying flags and symbols associated with Wagner and Russia.
As Ghana joins the global observance of International Peace Day, George Amoh, the Executive Secretary of the NPC, emphasized the need for collaborative measures to counteract such burgeoning threats.
Dr. S.K.B Asante, the Omanhene of Asante Asokore and a board member of the NPC, expressed concern over Ghana’s declining position on the Global Peace Index. This decline suggests that the country is allocating resources to conflict management rather than developmental initiatives. Dr. Asante called for a united effort among stakeholders to address long-standing conflicts and reverse this trend.
In the meantime, the Russian Embassy in Ghana has denied any association with the leadership of the alleged pro-Russia Wagner mercenary group apprehended by the police in Takoradi, Western Region.
The suspects, identified as Evans (25), Michael Asiedu (23), and Ernest Asiedu (26), purportedly mobilized around 20 youths to form a military group in the Diabene community park, with alleged support from a sponsor in Australia. However, following a tip-off, the police arrested them.
In a statement posted on its social media page, the Russian Embassy, formerly on Twitter, refuted claims of involvement in the distribution of Russian flags, attire, and placards among the protestors. It further clarified that it has no links to potential sponsors of the group.
“The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Ghana, as well as other government agencies, have no connections to the aforementioned unauthorized gathering,” the embassy asserted.