NDC Hatchet Men Seek Political Asylum in Canada

Two leading members of the Ashanti Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) also government appointees to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) who attempted to seek political asylum in Canada through dubious means after the defeat of their party in the December 2000 elections have been exposed.

Chronicle gathered that Messrs Abraham Mensah and his bosom colleague Peter Abeku Bobson on January 5, two days to the handing over of the power to President J. A. Kuffuor, accosted Mr. S. B. Kyei, the administrator of Subin- Sub Metropolitan Assembly at his office and forced him to sign a letter of introduction to the Canadian High Commission for travel visas. All attempts by Kyei to convince Mensah, a known NDC supporter with a record for violence, that he cannot give him such an introductory letter fell on deaf ears.

The two KMA appointees had maintained that they had been instructed by their party top men in Accra to ensure that they be given the letter of introduction at all cost at the close of business on January 5, 2001. As the argument heightened between them and Kyei about the authenticity of their instruction, the office telephone rang with the caller demanding to know if he (Kyei) had complied and issued the letter of the introduction to the two NDC men.

Chronicle gathered that all attempts by Kyei to know who the caller was proved futile as the caller refused to identify himself but warned that if the administrator wanted to enjoy his wife's food he should issue the letter to the two men and further dictated what should be the content of the letter to Kyei.

After the threat Kyei had no option but to fully comply with the orders from 'above'. But on completion, he told them to accompany him to KMA's main office to take something. On their arrival Kyei reported them to his superiors who requested the assembly members to surrender the letter to them which they did but one of them hid one of the letters.

Mensah who was nearly lynched during the Presidential run-off for attempting to snatch a ballot box at Adum Presby polling center is reported to have told some Assembly Members that his party (NDC) has promised some of them to go all out to ensure that the party triumphs in the run-off elections. The reward was to secure USA and Canada visas for all those who were assigned to engage in the dirty work during the elections.

Chronicle's KMA official source confirmed the story and said Kyei who went through a similar experience while working at the Mamponten District Assembly sometime ago had to take the instructions to save his life and commended him for reporting the issue timely to his superiors. Chronicle has learnt that Kyei was last week invited by the Assembly over the issue where he dutifully explained his position to the KMA members.

Part of the introduction letter reads; 'These gentlemen have, since their appointment, shown themselves to abound in creativity, originality, resourcefulness, artistry, and imagination to say nothing about diligence. Adding, " It therefore came as no surprise when the outgoing National Democratic Congress (NDC) government set their eyes on them (Mensah and Abeku) in their quest to win the election for which reasons danger now dangles over their lives".

" It would therefore be appreciated if entry permit could be given them to stay away from Ghana for a while, whilst the dust particles settle", the introduction letter to the Canadian High Commission stated. When Chronicle contacted Mr. Samuel Nuamah Donkor the former Ashanti Regional Minister, he confirmed the story but said as far as he was concerned such a move was orchestrated by the two men who have no backing from the NDC as they alleged.