By Leo Nelson
National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has called for thorough investigations into fire outbreaks affecting state institutions, warning that possible acts of sabotage must not be ignored.
Speaking during the party’s Thank You Tour in the Upper East Region, Asiedu Nketiah urged party supporters and state authorities to remain vigilant and treat every suspicious fire incident seriously.
According to him, Ghana has previously witnessed politically sensitive incidents involving power challenges and institutional disruptions, making it important to rule out deliberate attempts to destabilise the current administration.
Asiedu Nketiah suggested that recent incidents could bear similarities to events that occurred in previous election periods and warned against attempts to create instability through deliberate destruction.
“We must investigate every fire outbreak that happens in any state institutions to rule out sabotage. These are similar to what happened in the year 2000 and 2016.”
The NDC Chairman strongly cautioned against any attempt to create artificial difficulties for the government through acts of arson or institutional sabotage. According to him, those responsible for any deliberate acts intended to undermine public confidence or disrupt state operations would eventually be exposed.
“The devil will be exposed for any intentional sabotage to create artificial ‘Dumsor’ against the government,” he declared.
Asiedu Nketiah’s comments come amid growing public concern over recurring fire outbreaks in some public institutions and infrastructure facilities across the country.
Although he did not point directly to any specific incident, his remarks reflected concerns within sections of the ruling party that some events could be politically motivated.
The NDC Chairman stressed the importance of swift investigations to establish the true causes of such incidents and prevent speculation or misinformation.
Call for Vigilance Among Party Members
Addressing party supporters during the tour, Asiedu Nketiah urged members of the National Democratic Congress to remain alert and actively monitor developments within their communities.
He encouraged party faithful to pay attention to activities that may threaten national stability or undermine government programmes.
According to him, vigilance among supporters remains important in protecting the party’s electoral mandate and ensuring the smooth implementation of government policies.
“Open your eyes widely,” he urged party members, maintaining that party supporters should not dismiss unusual incidents affecting public institutions, especially where they may have broader political or economic implications.
The NDC Chairman’s reference to “artificial Dumsor” also reflected broader political sensitivities surrounding Ghana’s power supply history. “Dumsor,” the local term used to describe periods of erratic power outages, became a major national issue during previous administrations and remains politically significant in Ghanaian public discourse.
Asiedu Nketiah warned against any deliberate attempt to manufacture power challenges or public dissatisfaction through acts of sabotage. According to him, protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring uninterrupted public services should remain a national priority.
He insisted that authorities must not treat fire outbreaks lightly where there is suspicion of criminal intent or coordinated disruption.
Investigations Expected to Continue
Although no direct evidence of sabotage has been publicly confirmed in relation to recent fire incidents, Asiedu Nketiah’s comments are likely to intensify public debate over the causes of such outbreaks and the need for stronger security around public facilities.
Security experts have often emphasised the importance of detailed forensic investigations into fires affecting strategic institutions to determine whether incidents are accidental or intentional.
The NDC Chairman’s remarks are also expected to increase pressure on investigative agencies to ensure transparency and accountability in handling such cases.
Political observers note that statements linking sabotage concerns to national infrastructure and power stability could further heighten political tensions if not handled carefully.