Republic of Ghana

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION
P. O. BOX M 41, ACCRA

Tel No: +233-(0)30-2227201

Fax No: +233-(0)30-2229786 EMAIL: info.moi@moi.gov.gh

Date: September 23, 2019

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 destabilizing 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).

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.
 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.
  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.
 3 x tablets.
 1 x Ghanaian passport.
 2 x pen-drives.
 1 x voice recorder.
 1 x USB connector.
 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 a number of 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.

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¢7,000.00.

10. On Thursday, 19th September 2019, at about 2300 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.

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