The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned an attack on its members by supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during a District Assembly event in Nyinahin.
The incident, which took place during the official unveiling of the Atwima Mponua District’s DRIP equipment, resulted in injuries and chaos, cutting the event short.
According to a statement released by the NDC Constituency Secretary, Issahak Ibrahim, the NDC’s Parliamentary Candidate for Atwima Mponua, Stephen Yeboah, along with party executives, attended the event following an official invitation.
Despite the non-partisan nature of the occasion, the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for the constituency, Mr. Seth Akoto Osei, reportedly refused to shake hands with Yeboah, signaling rising tensions from the start.
The NDC claimed that while the program allowed for speeches by the NPP Parliamentary Candidate and the constituency’s NPP Chairman, Stephen Yeboah, despite being a former District Chief Executive (DCE), was not given the opportunity to speak.
Nevertheless, the NDC representatives maintained their composure, despite what they described as clear bias and partisanship from the organizers.
The situation escalated when the NPP Chairman, Mr. Collins Addai, allegedly used his platform to attack Hon. Yeboah’s character, spreading false information and engaging in personal attacks.
In response, the NDC Ashanti Regional Secretary took the stage to counter these claims and offer a warning against using the newly unveiled DRIP equipment for illegal mining activities, known locally as “galamsey.”
However, during his address, tensions flared when Mr. Seth Akoto Osei allegedly ordered one of his supporters to physically assault the NDC Ashanti Regional Secretary, causing chaos at the event. In the ensuing melee, an NDC Branch Women Organizer was injured, leading to the abrupt end of the program.
The NDC, in its statement, emphasized that both former President John Dramani Mahama and Hon. Stephen Yeboah are known for their peaceful nature and tolerance. The party reiterated its commitment to non-violence, but warned that it would not stand idly by when provoked by the NPP. The party called on the relevant authorities to investigate the incident and ensure that justice is served.
“The NDC believes in peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue,” the statement read, “and no political party should be allowed to disrupt the peace in our communities or infringe on the rights of citizens.”
The NDC also urged its supporters to remain calm and trust that the law will take its course, while reaffirming its commitment to protecting Ghana’s democracy and standing against political intolerance and violence in all forms.
Below is the statement :
Source: www.kumasimail.com
