A Flagbearer hopeful of the main opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC), Dr.Ekow Spio Gabrah says his party leadership ought to re-examine its preparations towards the upcoming elections as the governing New Patriotic Party(NPP) has given them a vivid picture of possible chaotic scenes that could take over the 2020 general elections.
In a Facebook post, Dr. Ekwow Spio Garbrah wrote: “This is the time for civil society groups, religious and traditional leaders, NGOs and the international community to condemn without hesitation and quibbling the re-introduction of violence into Ghana’s democratic governance. Ghanaians are slowly losing faith in their law enforcement agencies as well as in some governance institutions, including the National Electoral Commission.”
His call comes after the NDC’s withdrawal from the ongoing by-election in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency.
The NDC has served notice it’s sending official petitions to both the Electoral Commission and the Ghana Police Service on what they described as a state of insecurity that has characterised the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.
The National Chairman of the NDC, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo announced the decision at a Presser moments ago.
The NDC’s move follows the shooting of some seven persons at the Baweleshie polling centre.
Kasapa FM’s Gatusso reported of bloodstains being visibly splashed at the polling centre near the candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress.
However, the injured are reportedly in a stable condition at the Legon Hospital whilst, one person said to be in a critical condition has been referred to the 37 Military Hospital.
The NDC’s Spio Garbrah in his Facebook post following the sad developments from the by-elections indicated it’s regrettable to see the ruling NPP slowly but surely guiding Ghana into an abyss of political intolerance and vigilantism.
“Some of us condemned the existence of armed political militias loyal to the NPP as far back as in May 2017. At the time, we called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to disband these forces, and let peace prevail in the land. Our cries and calls went unheeded. We now see the real purposes and objectives of these armed groups: to help enforce the corrupt governance of the NPP, and maintain them in power irrespective of the wishes of the Ghanaian people.
“This is the time for civil society groups, religious and traditional leaders, NGOs and the international community to condemn without hesitation and quibbling the re-introduction of violence into Ghana’s democratic governance. Ghanaians are slowly losing faith in their law enforcement agencies as well as in some governance institutions, including the National Electoral Commission.”
Read Spio Gabrah’s Facebook Post
I have learnt with great disappointment the decision of the NDC national leadership to withdraw the party fromTV the Ayawaso-West-Wuogon parliamentary bye-election.
No doubt, the decision of the NDC follows serious reflection and internal consultations with relevant organs of the Party. Evidently, from reports from the media and from individuals taking part in the elections, the growing state of lawlessness, violence and confrontational behavior by Some elements in the NPP, made the situation rather precarious and unsuitable to the conduct of a free and fair election.
The surprise is that neither the National Electoral Commission nor the Ghana Police Service is noted to have made any timely public statements at the time of the recorded video incidents of violence, shooting and confrontations, calling for calm and orderliness. Is the NPP slowly but surely guiding Ghana into an abyss of political intolerance and vigilantism?
Some of us condemned the existence of armed political militias loyal to the NPP as far back as in May 2017. At the time, we called on President Nana Akufo-Addo to disband these forces, and let peace prevail in the land. Our cries and calls went unheeded. We now see the real purposes and objectives of these armed groups: to help enforce the corrupt governance of the NPP, and maintain them in power irrespective of the wishes of the Ghanaian people.
This is the time for civil society groups, religious and traditional leaders, NGOs and the international community to condemn without hesitation and quibbling the re-introduction of violence into Ghana’s democratic governance. Ghanaians are slowly losing faith in their law enforcement agencies as well as in some governance institutions, including the National Electoral Commission.
If investigative bodies cannot or will not bring videotaped perpetrators of violence and death to book, or our national institutions choose to legitimize elections that have not been freely and fairly held, Ghana will soon reach a precipice of disasters the outcomes of which can only be anyone’s guess.
We call on H.E. the President to ensure the rule of law in Ghana, to invite the Ghana Police Service and other investigative bodies to rise above partisanship and investigate the incidents of violence that have taken place in Ayawaso-West-Wuogon today, and punish the perpetrators.
Meantime, we in the NDC have further introspection to do, to examine the nature of our preparations for this by-election, as the NPP is giving us a very glaring picture of what we must regrettably expect during the 2020 elections.
Long Live Peace and Tranquility in Ghana
Long Live the NDC
Long Live Ghana
