Freddie Blay argued in a media interview that the recent seizures of state officers by supporters were meant to protect the state institutions and prevent looting of state resources.

But in an interview with Citi News, Policy Advisor of the PPP Kofi Asamoah Siaw condemned the acting Chairman’s comment.

“It’s an unfortunate statement from him; it has no locus as far as the administration of the country is concerned. Ghana is not administered by party foot soldiers or members of a political party that has won an election. President Akufo-Addo is president of the Republic of Ghana not president of NPP. So members who are part of his party cannot arrogate to themselves the right or the duty and responsibility to want to attempt to protect state resources, we shouldn’t encourage that,” he argued.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Mcbxn8xnbYmdcOhUVfu9f7p8gBxwOc6X”]Mr. Blay in the interview complained that “in some cases, particularly places like the harbour, DVLA, Peduase Lodge, polling stations [sic] and so forth, in some cases the people had to go there to protect state property to ensure that looting stops.”

He added “I’ve been told that in some public offices and so forth, all of a sudden those who were working there have refused to come to work, not because they are being intimidated or being chased out, but they themselves have suspected that because of how they came there, or purely based on they being members of the party then in power, some people will chase them out and they’ve left those public places to the wind, to the weather and people have gone there to protect it. It’s not a question of condemnation, I’ve told you that in some instances I won’t condemn if they were there to protect property.”

Hold Nana Addo responsible for NDC’s retaliation – NDC

Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has asked Ghanaians to hold President Nana Akufo-Addo responsible for any mayhem which may arise as a result of the attacks on their members.

According to the party, the current President has failed to stop members of the NPP from attacking NDC members and state properties.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, the General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, said the President was sitting by as alleged members of the NPP instigated disturbances.

“When you are the Commander in Chief and you allow gangsters to be humiliating state security officers, where are we going to?” Mr. Asiedu Nketia questioned. “… I am not surprised at all because throughout the campaign I kept warning that we all know the best gauge of anybody’s conduct in future is his conduct in the past and we know the conduct of the various presidential candidates, including Nana Addo, and his record of encouraging conduct.”

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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This he said was because Akufo-Addo who is also the leader of the NPP failed to condemn the attacks and call the people perpetrating such act to order.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Jc7mVhmcDQLInQFE9VGnbLYW1MhqDQ7c”]“Nana Addo and his party people are justifying what is happening and I’ve not heard him speak. He spoke only before his swearing in and now after that it became even worse. Before he was sworn in…John Boadu’s comment on air was even stronger than even the president elect and that is what motivated them, the day he took his oath that they acted more,” he said on Eyewitness News last Friday.

Some youth believed to be sympathizers of the NPP have recently been on rampage; taking over some state properties and institutions including the Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, the Ashaiman assembly and tollbooths.

Two NDC loyalist died after election

According to Kofi Adams, two of NDC loyalists have lost their lives through such attacks.

He said, “we [NDC] have buried two people as a result of post-election violence in Sefwi Wiawso and Dunkwa. They were NDC people who were attacked NPP members after the elections.”

The NDC Organiser further expressed disappointment at the acting National Chairman of the NPP, Freddy Blay for justifying the attacks.

Kofi Adams said the NPP’s security group, known as the Invisible Forces beat up a police officer on duty at the Flagstaff House.

“You have these people move not just to toll booths and other places but even to the flagstaff house, beat up uniformed persons and tear up their clothes and then claim they [Invisible forces] are in charge.” “I heard their acting National Chairman saying people are clearing goods without paying duty and so they have to go and protect those things. I am not aware of Customs officer who is not working to make the Invisible forces go and protect the place,” Kofi Adams said.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post NPP attacks worsened after Akufo-Addo’s swearing-in – Kofi Adams appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This comes on the back of a directive from President John Dramani Mahama to the security agencies to arrest supporters of the NPP who vandalize government properties or attack supporters of the NDC.

The Police earlier said they had received reports nationwide that some NPP supporters “are attacking supporters of NDC in various parts of the country.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”DulyGuWOJQtwlKIiUlFFtjM1j0itZlQw”]“The Police Administration wishes to caution those who are engaging in acts of vandalism and rowdism to desist, as Police officers who have been deployed to maintain law and order will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those who break the laws of the land,” a statement from the Police warned.

Meanwhile, the NPP in a statement signed by its acting General Secretary, John Boadu said “we condemn in no uncertain terms these distasteful occurrences, if true, and wish to state that NPP will not condone or sanction such actions.”

He further called on the Police service “to enforce the laws of the land, and bring to book any person, irrespective of their political affiliations, found to be perpetrating acts of violence against any person.”

Below is the full statement from the NPP

NPP CONDEMS POST-ELECTION ATTACKS, URGES SUPPORTERS TO REMAIN CALM

The attention of the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been drawn to reports of alleged acts of violence and vandalism being perpetrated allegedly against some political opponents of the NPP in the aftermath of the announcements of the results of the 2016 election.

We condemn in no uncertain terms these distasteful occurrences, if true, and wish to state that NPP will not condone or sanction such actions.

We urge the Ghana Police Service to enforce the laws of the land, and bring to book any person, irrespective of their political affiliations, found to be perpetrating acts of violence against any person.

Whilst the occasion of the NPP’s victory has understandably led to widespread jubilation amongst party supporters, sympathisers, and, indeed, members of the general public, we appeal to our supporters and everybody else to be guided by the statement made by the President-Elect of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in his acceptance speech on 9^th December, where he entreated supporters “to respect the peace and the property and lives of everybody, especially those of our political opponents.

“We are the party of the rule of law, and we should act accordingly, with magnanimity in our moment of victory.”

All of us have a responsibility to ensure that the dignified, peaceful exercise of their sovereign power that the Ghanaian people manifested on 7^th December, which has enhanced significantly the image of our country, be protected in this period of transition from one government to another.

God bless our homeland Ghana.

……signed……

John Boadu

General Secretary (Ag)

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post NPP condemns attacks on NDC members appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The President has further expressed disappointment at the leadership of the NPP for watching on while their supporters perpetrate such acts.

“President John Dramani Mahama has expressed disappointment at the inability or unwillingness of the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to call its rampaging supporters to order, following series of attacks on innocent citizens and supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC),” a statement signed by the Minister of Communications, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah stated.

According to the statement some NPP supporters have also attacked government installations across the country adding that President Mahama has ordered the security agencies to deal with such people.

“President Mahama has accordingly directed the security agencies to deploy across the country and arrest any person(s) caught vandalizing Government property or attacking innocent Ghanaians.”

Stop attacking NDC supporters – Police warn NPP

The Police had earlier cautioned supporters of the NPP to desist from such actions.

According to the Police perpetrators of such acts risk arrest and prosecution if they go ahead with such acts of vandalism.

The Police in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Superintendent Cephas Arthur said “it has come to the attention of the Police that some people are attacking supporters of NDC in various parts of the country.”

“The Police Administration wishes to caution those who are engaging in acts of vandalism and rowdism to desist, as Police officers who have been deployed to maintain law and order will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those who break the laws of the land,” the statement added.

Nana Addo dethrones Mahama

Nana Akufo-Addo, the presidential candidate of the NPP, defeated incumbent President Mahama of the NDC with 53.85% of the total votes cast in last Wednesday’s polls.

President Mahama however trailed behind with 44.40% thus truncating his second term bid.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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The post Arrest those attacking NDC members – Mahama appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.