ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Ghana’s Information Minister explains how three citizens who planned a coup against the Presidency were stopped

Some three Ghanaians have been arrested for allegedly plotting a coup against the Presidency in the country on Friday, September 20, 2019.

Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah

The Ministry of Information who shed more detail on the operation by security agencies noted that the agency uncovered an arms manufacturing base in Accra operated from a health facility.

The Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah made the revelation in a statement detailing how the suspects and their operations were busted.

According to him, the whole plot was targeted at the presidency and with the ultimate aim of destabilising the country.

The statement lists some items seized in the operation and some individuals taken into the custody of the Bureau of National Investigations for interrogation.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The persons arrested are Dr Frederick Yao Mac-Palm and his two accomplices – Mr Ezor Kafui (a local weapon manufacturer) and Mr Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu (aka BB or ADC),'' the statement issued Monday, September 23, noted.

The suspects, the statement added, formed a group called “Take Action Ghana” (TAG), under the guise of mobilising the youth for nation-building, education, health and providing shelter for the needy.

It said the evidence available showed the intent was to build a support base of young people and radicalise them against the political authority in Ghana.

The statement, however, assured the public that the security agencies were vigilant and working to safeguard the nation, and advised all to remain calm and provide information on suspicious characters and activities to the security agencies.

Here's the full statement by the Ministry of Information.

ADVERTISEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SECURITY AGENCIES FOIL ATTEMPT TO CREATE INSTABILITY IN GHANA

1. On Friday, 20th September 2019, a joint security operation of personnel drawn from Defence Intelligence, CID and Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), conducted a successful operation which led to the arrest of three persons and the retrieval of several arms, explosive devices and ammunition from locations in Accra and Bawaleshie near Dodowa.

2. The joint operation was to neutralize an elaborate plot targeted at the Presidency, and with the ultimate aim of destabilising the country. The arrest and seizure come after fifteen (15) months of surveillance and gathering of evidence on the activities of the prime suspects and others.

3. The persons arrested are Dr Frederick Yao Mac-Palm and his two accomplices - Mr Ezor Kafui (a local weapon manufacturer) and Mr Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu (aka BB or ADC).

ADVERTISEMENT

4. The following items were retrieved as part of the operation:

a. Citadel Hospital (Alajo, Accra)

• 5 x locally manufactured pistols with magazines fitted on.

• 1 x foreign pistol (Reg. No. PX154006) with 2 X magazines.

• 3 x locally manufactured pistol barrels.

ADVERTISEMENT

• 3 x smoke grenades.

• 22 x Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

• 9 x 7.62mm NATO AK47 rounds.

• 2 x AK47 magazines.

• 1 x long Knife.

ADVERTISEMENT

• The outlined plan for the operation presented by some soldiers at one of their meetings at Next-Door Resort.

• 7 x mobile phones.

• 2 x IPADs.

• 2 x decoders.

• 1 x modem.

ADVERTISEMENT

• 3 x tablets.

• 1 x Ghanaian passport.

• 2 x pen-drives.

• 1 x voice recorder.

• 1 x USB connector.

ADVERTISEMENT

• Machines and materials for manufacturing weapons and IEDs.

b. Bawaleshie near Dodowa

• 63 x 9mm NATO rounds.

5. Surveillance on the activities of the persons involved commenced in June 2018, when Dr Mac-Palm and Bright Allan Debrah Ofosu ("BB" or "ADC"), started organizing a series of meetings at the Next-Door Beach Resort, in Teshie, and other locations in Accra, in furtherance of their objectives.

6. Between June and August 2018, BB, acting for and on behalf of Dr Mac- Palm, contacted some serving military personnel, and talked them into hatching and executing a plot to obtain weapons, take over key installations, and secure funding for the purpose of taking over the reins of government. These meetings were closely monitored.

ADVERTISEMENT

7. In August 2018, Dr Mac-Palm and two others, Kennedy Amoah and Dr Albert Sam (Based in the USA) formed a group called "Take Action Ghana" (TAG), under the guise of mobilising the youth for nation-building, education, health, and providing shelter to the needy. Evidence available shows the intent was to build a support base of youth and radicalize them against the political authority in Ghana.

8. In furtherance of this scheme, Dr Mac-Palm contracted one Mr Ezor from Alavanyo to produce locally made weapons and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) for the operation. In July 2019, Mr Ezor set up a workshop in a container, originally used as an X-Ray laboratory, at the premises of Citadel Hospital, and started producing the weapons and IEDs in-house.

9. On 10th September 2019, Dr Mac-Palm and Mr Ezor procured from the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, some essential chemicals to be mixed with gun powder, stone chippings, surgical needles and powdered pepper for their operations. He also contracted a worker at the Base Workshop in Burma Camp to supply 10 AK 47 riffles. He made an advance payment of GH¢7, OOO.OO.

10. On Thursday, 19th September 2O19, at about 23OO hours, still under surveillance, Dr Mac-Palm, Mr Ezor, and one soldier went to an area close to the Laboma Beach to test fire some of the locally manufactured weapons.

11. On the following day, 20th September 2019, between 0915 and 1755 hours, a team of security personnel undertook the operation which led to the arrest of Dr Mac-Palm and his accomplices, and the subsequent retrieval of the items listed above.

ADVERTISEMENT

12. The IEDs and all the exhibits are currently in the custody of the BNI, whilst investigations are being carried out for further action. Meanwhile, the suspects are undergoing interrogation.

13. State security agencies assure the general public that they remain vigilant, and will work to safeguard national security and public safety. The public is encouraged to remain calm and advised to provide information on any suspicious persons or activities to the police for necessary action.

14. The Government of Ghana will also continue with efforts to provide the necessary logistics and motivation to the security agencies for intelligence gathering, capacity building and other operations, to protect the country from terrorism, subversive activities, and other violent crimes. END.

Signed,

KOJO OPPONG NKRUMAH (MP) MINISTER

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

Here's everything to know about being a virgin on your wedding night

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

7 do's and don’ts of the Holy month of Ramadan

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

Top 5 sweetest celebrity mother-child relationships that stand out for us

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

International Women's Day: 5 Nigerian female celebrities championing women’s rights

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

Top 5 female directors in Nollywood

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

6 things that will break a Muslim's fast during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 benefits of fasting during Ramadan

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

5 reasons Easter was more fun when we were children

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

Dos and don’ts of supporting Muslims during Ramadan

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT