Government defends Hamidu

In the aftermath of calls on the government of president Kufuor to relieve the National Security Chief, General Joshua Hamidu of his post for his alleged role in the Northern conflict, which resulted in the brutal murder of the Dagbon chief, the Ghanaian Government has defended the former General?s continued stay in office, saying the security chief is not in any position to influence enquiries into the conflict.

The government says the perception that the security chief and Major Abubakar Sulemana (Rtd) in the office of the National Security Advisor are in the position to influence investigations into the conflict is misinformed.

Information and Presidential Affairs Minister, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey in his reaction to various calls on the government to relieve to two of their position, with the latest coming from the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) said the two security experts do not wield the influence that people continue to suggest.

?We have noted that people are misinformed about the role that the two gentlemen play and the influence they can have on either the police enquiry or the Justice Wuaku Commission of Enquiry,? he said.

The government has indicated that it will do everything that it is capable of, to empower the Commission of Enquiry that has been set up to investigate the conflict, to carry out its work in the most independent manner.

The Minister said the government is fully cognizant of the need to have the report of the Commission accepted by all Ghanaians, and particularly by those who have been affected by the events in Yendi particularly, and the Dagbon area in general.

The government has reassured the nation, particularly citizens of Dagbon, that it is at the top of the job and would work to bring peace and order to the traditional area and asked those still harbouring doubts about it?s sincerity to rethink their position.

The paramount chief of Dagbon, Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II was beheaded whilst 40 others were also murdered in the Yendi conflict.