A group of concerned Ghanaians have presented a petition to President John Dramani Mahama asking him to remove the National Security Co-ordnator, Lt. Col. Larry Gbevlo-Lartey from office.
The group has described the security chief as a threat to national security after he ordered his operatives to demolish a toll booth at the University of Ghana (UG) campus without prior notice to the school authorities.
The members of the group included members of the University of Ghana community, parents of students at the school, friends and alumni of the University, and peace-loving and law-abiding citizens of Ghana both at home and abroad.
The petition which was presented on March 25 and signed by its conveners, Professor Akosua Adomako Ampofo and Langbong Bimi clarified that “the petition is without prejudice to any of the matters arising from the planning and implementation of the tolling; the recent closure of some access roads to the UG campus and the resort to one main entry/exit point (Okponglo road); or any on-going discussions about the government repayment of the road-rehabilitation loan, or the University of Ghana Act.”
It further stated that “the issue we bring to you is one based purely on principle and the rule of law, and a need to be assured of our ability to live in peace without fear that the gavel of official might descend on us should we as ordinary citizens, be in disagreement with government.”
The group instituted an online petition after the demolishing incident and collected signatures online and on hardcopy to support their demand. The petition was copied to the Ministers of Education, Interior and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wougon Constituency.