"I am no coup maker" - Dan Lartey

Leader of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP) Mr. Dan Lartey has denied allegations that he was involved in the planning of the 1972 Coup d’etat that overthrew the Busia government.

He said this claim by a section of the public is ‘mere speculation’, because there was no court action against him. Following Mr. Lartey’s claim that the recent invitation extended to him by the National Security Advisor, General Hamidu, was an arrest, a section of the public maintain that it was justifiable, because he masterminded the 1972 coup, and currently poses a threat to the security of the state.

They alleged that immediately after the overthrow of the Second Republic, the late General Acheampong, the Coup leader, was seen at Mr. Lartey’s residence, lending credence to his reported role in the military coup. Mr. Lartey, also GCPP Flag bearer in the 2000 elections, told the Network Herald the best interpretation he could give to General Hamidu’s immediate summons for him to report at the offices of National Security is an arrest.

The 74-year-old politician was reported to have been questioned in connection with his calls for an early election. Mr. Dan Lartey still holds the view that there should be an early election, because most Ghanaians are hungry and it is their right to pass a ‘vote of no confidence’ over the NPP administration, though it is not enshrined in thecountry’s constitution.

The GCPP leader, remembered for his ‘domestication’ slogan had dismissed the policies of the Kufuor administration, saying they rather put more burden on the already suffering Ghanaian populace. He therefore advocates for an early election to vote the NPP government out of power. However, political analysts have been making a mockery of Mr. Lartey’s calls for an early election saying there is no such thing in the laws of the land.