The Director of Communications at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin has revealed that President Akufo Addo is yet to review the letter written to him by the National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC) Samuel Ofosu Ampofo over vigilantism after receiving it Thursday night.
The NDC has responded to the President’s call for the two main political parties to decide the way forward in disbanding vigilante groups affiliated to them.
The letter written by Chairman of the NDC, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is proposing an expansion to the discussions asking that all political parties, civil society organizations, representatives of the media, representatives of the military, police and other security agencies, as well as any other relevant stakeholders included to the discussion.
The NDC is also asking the President to appoint the chairman of the Peace Council to mediate the discussions.
“The phenomenon has appeared to take some root in the fabric of our politics, it is only prudent that the call for a disbandment is extended to not only the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party, but all political parties, civil society organizations, representatives of the media, representatives of the military, police and other security agencies, as well as any other relevant stakeholders.
“In addition, in view of the often recurrent mistrust and suspicion that characterize such interactions by political parties, and the pain and suffering that vigilantism may have created especially in the recent past, it is of the utmost importance that a mediator with national credibility be appointed to drive the entire process. In that regard, my party, the NDC, propose that the National Peace Council be appointed as the mediator for such a meeting.”
The NDC added that “we also think that the peace council will require as collaborators, institutions that may have unimpeachable knowledge and expertise in providing support for such efforts. And in this regard, the NDC propose that the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the Institute for Democratic Governance ( IDEG) join the Peace Council to facilitate the process.”
Commenting on the letter in an interview, Mr Eugene Arhin stated that President Akufo has not had time to peruse the letter since he’s been busy throughout yesternight and this morning.
He, however, added that the President’s response to the letter will be made public.
“As at the time it was delivered lastnight there was an ongoing Cabinet meeting that ran late into the night, currently the President is at the Accra International Conference Centre as part of the President’s Independence Day awards to students who emerged overall best in the 2018 BECE. He returns to the office shortly and once he does that he’ll review the letter and definitely we’ll give an appropriate response to the NDC National Chairman.
“But one thing we can assure the Ghanaian people is that just as the NDC Chairman made the content of his letter public, we will likewise publicize our response to him so that the Ghanaian people will know what the President’s sentiments are with respect to this letter,” Eugene Arhin added.
