{
  "id": 12160422,
  "title": "If police won’t protect you, you’ll protect yourself – Prof Mike Oquaye backs Kojo Bamba’s election",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/if-police-wont-protect-you-youll-protect-yourself-prof-mike-oquaye",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T13:47:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/if-police-wont-protect-you-youll-protect-yourself-prof-mike-oquaye-backs-kojo-bambas-election/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, has defended the election of Kojo Fosu Boadu, popularly known as Kojo Bamba, as the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) First Vice Chairman, despite concerns about the party's ability to protect its votes in future elections. Oquaye stated that the NPP must take steps to protect itself from political intimidation, but he does not support the return of party vigilante groups. Boadu won the NPP's national executive elections, securing 3,116 votes among 13 candidates competing for the three vice-chairmanship positions. In an interview on Joy FM's Super Morning Show, Oquaye was asked about his support for Boadu and his campaign promise to protect the party. Oquaye acknowledged that the NPP had previously taken steps to remove party security groups from its political activities and rejected the idea of a separate security system within the NPP. However, he acknowledged that citizens might feel compelled to protect themselves if the police fail to provide adequate protection. Oquaye called for an end to political intimidation and urged civil society organizations, religious leaders, and other influential groups to speak out against such practices. He warned that if citizens believe the state cannot protect them, they may seek alternative means of protection. Oquaye emphasized that the NPP remains committed to peace and urged the party to learn from the last election.",
  "summary": "Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, has defended the election of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) First Vice Chairman, Kojo Fosu Boadu, popularly known as Kojo Bamba, amid concerns over how the party intends to protect its votes in future elections.",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Speaker Mike Oquaye backs Kojo Bamba's NPP election.",
    "NPP VP candidate Boadu secured 3,116 votes in election.",
    "Oquaye acknowledges citizens may protect themselves if police fail."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}