Ghana: Security Forces Arrest Three Suspects For Planning A Coup Against Government

Ghana’s security forces have arrested three suspects for attempting an alleged coup plot aimed at destabilizing the country, reported Reuters.

Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the three- Ezor Kafui, Dr. Frederick Yao Mac-Palm, and Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu- were arrested after 15 months of surveillance during which they tried to obtain weapons from military personnel and secure funding “for the purpose of taking over the reins of government”.

“The joint operation was to neutralise an elaborate plot targeted at the presidency, and with the ultimate aim of destabilising the country,” Nkrumah said in the statement.

He added that the suspects are being questioned as the investigation continues. They are currently in the custody of a joint security task force comprised of members of the country’s Defense Intelligence Department, Criminal Investigation Department and Bureau of National Investigations.

One of the suspects is a medical doctor at Citadel Hospital. The accused set up a workshop inside an empty container at the hospital and used to produce improvised explosive devices and other weapons, the minister said. The men were also allegedly in contact with some soldiers and an officer, who were also arrested in connection with the alleged plot.

Nkrumah said a stash of weapons was recovered which included, six pistols, three smoke grenades, 22 IEDs, two AK47 magazines, ammunition for automatic firearms, and computer equipment. The suspects also obtained chemicals from a teaching hospital to be mixed with gun powder and other items for their operations.

The statement said the three men arrested had set up a group targeting young people. The Take Action Ghana (TAG) group pretended to mobilize the youth for “nation-building”. But its real intention was to “build a support base of youth, and radicalise them against the political authority in Ghana”.

Ghana will go the polls next year.