The Vice Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior, Collins Owusu Amankwah has slammed the opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC), accusing the party of dragging its feet in the national quest to disband vigilante groups affiliated to political parties.
The president’s call for the proposed dialogue between the two major political parties- NPP, NDC vis a vis the disbandment of political party militia has hit a snag following a deadlock over a mediator for the meeting.
The NDC first made a request for other stakeholders to join the meeting but the President in a reply to their letter suggested that it was unnecessary.
However, the main opposition NDC in another letter has maintained their position insisting on wider participation in the meeting to disband the political party militia.
In a letter signed by the party’s National Chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo to President Akufo-Addo, on Monday explained that their decision is to find a lasting solution to the canker by involving all other stakeholders.
“Our position on participation is quite simple: a lasting solution to the crisis of political violence requires that we involve all stakeholders. This is generally accepted as good practice…the stakeholders in the struggle against political violence cannot reasonably be limited to the two largest political parties,” the party said.
But speaking to host Kwaku Owusu Adjei on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa FM, Hon. Owusu Amankwa who’s also the MP for Manhyia North said Ghana must move on as it’s obvious that the NDC is not ready for peace.
“The President has initiated such a laudable move to have vigilante groups disbanded, we the NPP which is the ruling party are ready, but the NDC which is in opposition and should have embraced this move is rather dragging its feet. Knowing the NDC at the end of the day, they will say even the people who mediated the talks were sympathetic to the government so they don’t accept the outcome of the talks, that is NDC for you.
Hon. Collins Owusu Amankwah added: “The party has vowed to make life uncomfortable for the government and will make this country ungovernable and clearly that is the path they are charting. Because they are the very people who called for a commission of inquiry to be set to investigate the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence even when the IGP had assured to thoroughly investigate the issue. But the NDC said they had no trust in the Police to do a good job and insisted on the commission being set up. The president listened to them and put together the commission. However, the NDC turned round and bastardized the Commission members when they were announced. The NDC is not ready for peace, Ghana must move on.”
