The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party Nana
Akufo-Addo has condemned the recent attacks on his supporters in the Asutifi
South and Odododiodioo constituencies under the alleged aegis of two top NDC
ministers.“The President is going all over the world talking about
Ghana, talking about peace and talking about democracy. And in his cabinet,
around the cabinet table at which he is presiding, are people who instigate
violence – purveyors of violence, sitting around his cabinet table.
“He
doesn’t care. He doesn’t have the strength of character to reprimand them, and
tell them to stop what they are doing. He is simply looking on unconcerned. Does
this mean he endorses this kind of conduct?” Nana Addo said whilst campaigning
in Hwidiem, in the Asutifi South constituency of the Brong Ahafo Region, on
Thursday, November 10, 2016.
Nana Akufo-Addo made these comments on the
back of consistent alleged attacks against NPP members in Asutifi South being
perpetrated by Hon. Collins Dauda, MP for the constituency and Minister for
Local Government, and, also, on the back of the recent assault of NPP members in
Odododiodioo led by MP for the constituency and Minister for Youth and Sports,
Nii Lante Vanderpuye.
Nana Akufo-Addo noted that this kind of leadership,
being displayed by President Mahama, is not the kind needed to move Ghana
forward and return her on the path of progress and prosperity.
“No one
should see himself or herself above the law. We don’t want any trouble in Ghana.
Those who think that violence, through the use of guns and machetes, is the only
path to which they can succeed should have a good rethink, because it will not
succeed,” he added.
With residents of Hwidiem and surrounding towns
living in fear as a result of atrocities and acts of intimidation being meted
out to them by Hon. Collins Dauda, the NPP flagbearer condemned these acts,
explaining that they have no place in a democracy.
Nana Akufo-Addo
wondered what kind of man would resort to the use of violence against a woman in
a contest.
“You (Collins Dauda) are contesting a woman, and you’re having
to employ guns, harmful weapons and the use of macho men in order to win? It is
a shame and a disgrace. What kind of a man are you then? You are employing all
of these shameful tactics, not against a fellow man, but, against a woman. This
is a disgrace. When such things happen, it means you have already lost,” he
said.
Nana Akufo-Addo was confident that, regardless of these “shameful”
tactics being employed by Hon. Collins Dauda, residents of Hwidiem and Asutifi
South will vote out the NDC, in both presidential and parliamentary
elections.
The NPP flagbearer noted that “the people of Asutifi South
will not allow themselves to be cowed by violence, nor will they allow violent
people to superintend over them. No one can be kept away from voting. Everybody
is going to have the chance to cast their vote in this election.”
Nana
Akufo-Addo urged the electorate not to be complacent, in the belief that the NPP
has already won the election.
“We don’t want that. Until the ballots are
cast and counted, we should not be complacent. If you want change, you have to
go and vote for the change,” he stated.
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