The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Constituency has drawn a firm line against ethnic exclusion, intimidation and violence in its upcoming internal elections, warning that no member will be prevented from contesting or participating because of their ethnic or community identity.
The Constituency Executive Committee says it will not tolerate attempts to shut out members of the Brifor/Lobi community from the party’s electoral processes, amid concerns over reported moves to interfere with their participation.
The warning comes barely months after the deadly Gbenyiri conflict between Gonja and Lobi/Birifor communities in the area, which triggered a major government-led mediation process aimed at rebuilding trust and peaceful coexistence.
The NDC constituency executives issued the warning after an emergency meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026, where members considered reports of alleged attempts to prevent some Brifor/Lobi members from participating in the party’s internal elections.
In a statement signed by Constituency Secretary Osman Abdalla on behalf of the Constituency Chairman, the executives unanimously rejected any attempt to prevent, intimidate, threaten or interfere with a person’s political participation based on ethnicity, tribal identity or community of origin.
The committee stressed that the position was not directed at any particular ethnic group, saying the NDC recognised and respected all communities within the constituency.
It said the party’s internal elections must be governed by its constitution and principles of fairness, inclusion and equal participation.
‘NPP-style’ conduct rejected
The constituency executives also rejected suggestions that controversial conduct allegedly associated with internal electoral processes of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) should be replicated within the NDC.
The committee said such conduct had no place in the NDC and warned members against importing intimidation, threats, violence or disruption into its electoral processes.
It further warned that anyone found engaging in such conduct could face disciplinary action under the party’s rules, alongside possible sanctions under Ghanaian law.
The youth of the party were specifically urged not to allow themselves to be used to provoke violence or disrupt the elections.
Members who encounter threats or inflammatory statements have instead been directed to report them to constituency or regional party leadership. Where threats to life or property are involved, the committee said the appropriate security authorities should also be alerted.
Conflict backdrop
The NDC’s warning comes against a particularly sensitive local backdrop.
The Gbenyiri conflict between Gonja and Lobi/Birifor communities erupted in August 2025 and resulted in deaths, injuries, destruction of property and displacement.
The government subsequently established a seven-member Gbenyiri Mediation Committee to help address the tensions and rebuild relations between the affected communities.
The committee submitted its final report to Interior Minister Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka in February 2026, with recommendations intended to promote dialogue, cooperation and long-term stability in the affected communities.
The NDC constituency executives acknowledged the sensitivities that remain among sections of the communities following the conflict and said the party would work with traditional authorities, community stakeholders and security institutions to prevent a fresh escalation.
The committee has therefore appealed to party members, particularly the youth, to reject provocation, exercise restraint and protect the relative peace in the constituency as the NDC prepares for its internal elections.
The position places the party’s internal electoral contest against a broader local effort to prevent political and communal tensions from undermining the fragile peace established after the Gbenyiri violence.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
