The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has added his voice to calls for an end to the ongoing post-election violence in some parts of the country.
He said it is time to cease the unlawful actions as the country prepares for the transition, emphasizing that it must be done peacefully.
“In the interest of peace, members of the NDC must desist from such actions to ensure a peaceful transition. Let’s prioritize Ghana ahead of personal or partisan interests,” he told Myjoyonline.com
Mr Ahiagbah added that, although state security can address the situation, there is a need for collaboration between the president-elect, John Mahama, and the outgoing president, Nana Akufo-Addo.
“State security can deal with the situation, but without the cooperation of the NDC, it may appear to some that the NPP government is bitter about the loss and is taking it out on jubilant NDC members,” he said.
He also called on the NDC and Mr Mahama to take a leadership role by urging their supporters to end the violence, stating, “Dealing with the rather needless post-election violence, including burning of assets, the lawless takeover of state institutions, and harassment by NDC enthusiasts, requires that the NDC and President-Elect John Dramani Mahama show leadership, even though H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo remains the Commander-in-Chief.”
He added, “This is because, while the security forces could deal with the violent, unlawful conduct of the NDC followers, it is a political act that could be de-escalated simply with the intervention of the NDC.”
The leadership of the NDC earlier warned their supporters to desist from the violence, stating that it is unlawful. The General Secretary of the party, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, sent a strong warning to those involved, urging them to stop or face consequences without intervention from the NDC.
For Richard Ahiagbah, Mr Mahama and Mr Kwetey’s calls for caution were commendable. “I commend the President-Elect, H.E. John Dramani Mahama, and the General Secretary of the NDC for intervening,” he said.
Meanwhile, some members of the NDC are denying the involvement of their supporters in the violence.
Dr Omane Boamah, the Director of Elections and IT for the NDC in the 2024 elections disagreed that NDC supporters were responsible for all of the incidents.
He argued that some of the actions were carried out by individuals deliberately attempting to get at the NDC due to its victory.
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