President Mahama’s assassination claim false - Police

The Kintampo Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Desmond Owusu Boampong, has denied reports that there was a near-assassination attempt on President John Mahama while he was on his campaign tour of the Brong Ahafo Region on Thursday October 6.

Mr Mahama is in the region for a five-day tour ahead of the December 7 polls.

According to reports which went viral on social media, during one of the President’s interactions in New Longoro in the Kintampo North District, a young man suspiciously breached the platform. He was allegedly arrested and interrogated by the police who found a gun in a bag he was carrying. The same report said the president told the security officers to allow the young man to go.

However, speaking on the issue in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom on Accra100.5FM on Friday October 7, Chief Supt Owusu Boampong denied the assassination report, but clarified that, indeed, a young man who moved into the area allocated to the press was asked to leave.

He said no gun was found in the young man’s bag nor did he draw close to the dais where the president was standing.

''It is not true,” he said, adding: “Even the security of the president will not allow anybody to get close to the platform – not even all police officers can get close to the president.

“I will caution the general public to be circumspect with what they write on social media.”