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Former President, John Mahama has said that Ghanaians should not take things for granted because what happened in Nigeria can happen.
Nigerians have been demonstrating for days calling for a reform in their security system specifically Police who have been accused of brutalities met out to citizens.
This protest however go out of hand where military are alleged to have shot into the crowd of unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll booth in Lagos.
Celebrities, high-profile personalities and international communities have all condemned the incident.
However, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress said Ghanaians should not think any of that sought cannot happen in the country.
“We shouldn’t sit here in Ghana and think it cannot happen here in Ghana. Our young people, too, are purpose-driven; they are our children, we know them, we know what their aspirations are; they think differently from us and the point is: for the older generation that doesn’t understand what the aspirations of these young people are, you think you just throw Free SHS [at them] and, so, that’s the end of it. It’s not only about Free SHS, it’s also about what opportunities exit for them after they leave secondary school.” he said.
“They don’t want to come and sit in their parents’ houses and do nothing. When that happens they get frustrated and when they get frustrated, these are some of the excesses that happen. Of course, in Ghana we don’t have a portion of the police service that is equivalent to SARS but we have our own national security issues, we have that SWAT force who come with masks and things and they have jackknives and all kinds of things all over them. Depending on how that plays out, it could end up in anything and, so, we should not take things for granted.” he added.
Mr. Mahama also said #EndSARS was a focal point for wider issues including unemployment, corruption, opportunities amongst others.
“Nigeria is several nations in one but it has a big population of young people who are very creative, very purpose-driven, very high-achieving and they are fully motivated to make it in life and, so, the fact that there is this growing youth who have a different orientation from the older generation and who are looking for opportunities and they cannot find those opportunities, is what is reflecting in this current rebellion. The brutality of the Special Anti-Armed Robbery Squad is an issue that has existed. SARS has been there, it’s part of the police force that is like the high-handed end of the police force, a lot of brutalities meted out to people.”
“They younger generation is no longer prepared to take that. And, so, that became the focal point for rallying – #EndSARS but then, it’s now begun to encompass some wider issues including corruption, opportunities, unemployment, and all that kind of thing, so, it’s becoming like a movement.” he added.
Source: Ghana Waves