The NPP’s election victory in 2016 was followed by widespread, and largely expected reports of party supporters taking over toll booths, public toilets and other state installations.

[contextly_sidebar id=”kKOL17XKlBPy1SG7So9h1NzQlocjlBi3″]These actions have continued into February 2017, with the most recent reported incident happening in Tamale, where offices of the National Health Insurance Authority and the Youth Employment Agency,  were raided and locked up by a pro-NPP group.

“We are all  aware that these actions have accompanied changes in government over the last 16 years”, the NPP MP said, adding that both parties had to first acknowledge that it was a mutual problem so they can address it.

Speaking on The Big Issue, Dr. Boye said, “we must come to a place where we say that this culture is unhealthy, unhealthy in the sense that it does not push us forward. It leads to victimization.”

“There are a lot of things that divide us because this is partisan politics; but on a few occasions like these we need to be strong and say that this is unacceptable; saying it and knowing that you are also part of the culture.”

Dr. Boye sounded a word of caution noting that, these acts come to haunt political parties at the polls.

“The conduct of some people in the NDC ultimately resulted in their loss at the polls… if we come and behave like the way our brothers behaved when they won power, it is possible that we can end up where they are today.”

Task-force in the right direction

A lot of the reasoning for the raiding of state institution comes down to individuals wanting to protect the state from the outgoing party.

Thus, Dr. Boye said the move by government to set up a task force with the mandate of retrieving state assets unlawfully being held by individuals could allay the fears of such persons.

“The lessons that we have learned, the lessons that should have been learnt in the past by any government are that; If the people with the power to put in the place the groups to check assets don’t act fast, overzealous party people can act ahead of them…This [the task-force] could have come earlier and it would have preempted the actions of overzealous party people.”

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post NDC, NPP must end post-election violence – Okoe Boye appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Several cases of post-election and post inauguration violence have been reported across the country.

Supporters of the  New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been blamed for allegedly attacking opponents and vandalizing and in some cases seizing state properties.

They have reportedly taken over state facilities like toll booths and public toilets, claiming that they are protecting it for their party, the NPP, which is now in power.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Communications Director of the Police, Superintendent Cephas Arthur, said the police have made some arrests, and will not relent on its efforts to deal with all miscreants without respect for their party affiliation, arguing that crime has no colours.

“In all cases where perpetrators are at large, the Police shall continue to pursue them until they are arrested to face the law. The Police has presently deployed personnel to vital state installations and some state institutions which are targets of these attacks and invasions to protect them,” he said.

He further stated that, the Service has also intensified its patrol and intelligence to ensure maximum security for all lives and properties.

“Moreover, the action units are also standing by to respond to any emergency situations to prevent or stop any act of criminality,” he added.

He further assured Ghanaians that efforts are being made to maintain law and order in the country.

The leadership of the NPP has already condemned reported attacks on members of the NDC, perpetrated by some of its supporters.

This followed a directive from former President John Mahama to the security agencies to arrest supporters of the NPP who vandalize government properties or attack supporters of the NDC.

But at recent press conference, the National Democratic Congress  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 New Patriotic Party (NPP) who have allegedly been attacking their members without any provocation.

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By: Caleb Kudah & Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post We’ll deal with ‘violent NPP supporters – Police appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He expressed concern over the impression that the disturbances were rampant nationwide describing them as reckless acts of mischief geared towards causing fear and panic.

[contextly_sidebar id=”yBa7v2M6IDWXJeWp3gOybpPSRKuoUSZY”]Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Awuku expressed his scepticism with the reportage saying “there are not more than three or four examples but when you make it topical as if it is across the country, over the 275 constituencies, I find it a bit outrageous.”

He further made references to some alleged hoax reports that suggested that some high profile National Democratic Congress (NDC) supports were being targeted by the NPP.

NPP won’t accept blame for attacks

The NPP youth organiser also maintained that the NPP and its victorious Flagbearer, President-elect Nana Akufo-Addo, would not take responsibility for calming tensions when there was already a sitting President and police administration in place.

Mr. Awuku instead asserted that “it behoves on the John Mahama administration and the current police administration to ensure that the country is at peace with itself and intact as at January 7.”

“If you talk to me on January 8 and you are citing these examples, then as a party, we take the fall for that , but not when there is government in place, there is an administration in place and you want us to carry this on our hear.”

“What I am saying is that President Mahama has to put his foot down… Nana Addo is the president-elect. He cannot order even a single prison officer,” Mr. Awuku added.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Accusations of post-election violence exaggerated – Sammy Awuku appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.