Political analyst Samuel Boateng has warned of a growing trend where successive ruling governments manipulate state institutions to systematically target their political opponents.
He noted that whilst organisations like the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) possess the mandate to discharge their duties independently, fearlessly, and without favour, the anti-graft body has appeared heavily politicised in recent years.
Mr Boateng argued that no external authority should dictate how EOCO conducts its operations. However, he maintained that the institution must execute its duties fairly and lawfully, ensuring it does not abuse the rights of suspects under investigation.
He lamented that Ghanaians have repeatedly witnessed government after government weaponising the state body to settle political scores.
“EOCO is an anti-graft body with the mandate to investigate organised crime, financial and economic crimes. Nobody has the authority to dictate to EOCO how it should conduct its work. They have the responsibility of preventing organised crimes. We should allow the state institutions to remain independent, but that is not the case,” Mr Boateng stated.
“We have politicised our independent state bodies. I say so because the work of these bodies is highly sensitive, so why should we allow politics to interfere with them? When you examine how these bodies work, they have a duty to work in the interest of the state, but it appears anytime they work, they target opposition party members. This is not limited to this government. We witnessed the same in the previous government. It has become a norm for EOCO to target only opponents of the government,” he said on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM.
Turning his attention to recent operational tactics, the analyst slammed EOCO over its “Rambo-style” arrests, questioning whether formal invitations to persons of interest have been completely abandoned.
Commenting specifically on the high-profile arrest of Miracles Aboagye at the Accra International Airport upon his return from an international trip, Mr Boateng condemned the move, suggesting that a standard invitation would have been more appropriate.
He emphasised that the aspiring National Communications Director for the NPP had willingly returned to Ghana, proving he posed no flight risk, which rendered the aggressive airport arrest entirely unnecessary.
Furthermore, Mr Boateng criticised the NPP for threatening to retaliate in a similar fashion against NDC officials should power change hands in 2028.
Describing such comments as unfortunate and unhealthy for the nation’s democratic growth, he cautioned politicians to cease interfering with the work of state institutions.
He added that these political interventions only serve to create a narrative of political persecution, even when suspects are being legitimately investigated for alleged corruption.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
