The Upper East Regional Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned the recent arrest of two Binduri youth by the Ghana Armed Forces, calling the action unlawful and an attempt to intimidate local youth demanding political change in the area.
In a statement signed by Deputy Regional Youth Organizer Samson Samari, the NDC youth wing accused the military of acting on “orders from above,” suggesting the involvement of Abdulai Abanga, the current Member of Parliament for Binduri and Deputy Minister for Local Government. The youth wing claims that Abanga, facing a likely defeat in the upcoming December 7, 2024, elections, is using the military to suppress dissent.
The incident reportedly occurred on August 12, 2024, when two armored vehicles from the Ghana Armed Forces entered Binduri and allegedly invaded the homes of two individuals. According to the statement, the victims were brutalized and subsequently taken to a military base in Bawku. One of the victims, who suffered serious injuries, was transferred to a local hospital for treatment before being airlifted to an undisclosed location in Accra.
“The role of the Ghana Armed Forces is to protect citizens, not to torture innocent civilians on orders from political leaders,” Samari emphasized. He called for the immediate release of the two detained individuals, warning that failure to do so would provoke further action from the NDC youth.
The party’s youth wing reiterated its commitment to seeking justice for the detained individuals and vowed not to be silenced in the face of what it sees as politically motivated repression.
The statement has raised concerns about the growing tension in Binduri ahead of the December elections, with many awaiting a response from both the Ghana Armed Forces and the office of Abdulai Abanga.
The military and political authorities have yet to comment on the accusations.