The PPP, in a statement, said these incidents had taken the shine off the peaceful transition of power following the 2016 elections.

[contextly_sidebar id=”KprzFoc6YPwKCdXrNRpNLANIwANKLC26″]It also said the rhetoric coming from the two leading political parties were not good for national cohesion, and “a threat to National Security and National Development.”

In the party’s view, “recent comments from leading members of both dominant parties – NPP and NDC – have gone to inflame passions. Instead of calling their supporters to order and working together with the security apparatus to find a solution to the problem, they are rather engaging in intense politicking, and encouraging their supporters to become unruly.”

“We are by this statement sounding a word of caution to the leadership of the two parties especially the NPP because it is in power, to call their supporters to order. Ghana does not belong to NDC or NPP. We should not sit aloof for the two parties to plunge the country into chaos.”

Find below the full statement

Leadership of NPP NDC must act in the interest of the Nation

The Progressive People’s Party condemns the 2016 post-election violent attacks going on in the country. Ghana has been hailed by the International Community and Civil Society Organizations for organizing a peaceful election, and ensuring a smooth transition from an incumbent President to a newly elected President. As the beacon of hope in Africa, this has consolidated our democratic credentials – an enviable feat Ghanaians must pride ourselves in. Indeed, we must hold ourselves in high esteem and should be celebrating this remarkable achievement.

Instead, recent unfortunate post-election violent attacks on innocent Ghanaians and state properties appear to take the shine off this remarkable democratic achievement. It is reported that two NDC loyalists have died from post election violence and that such attacks worsened after the new President had been sworn-in on January 7, 2017. Why would the alleged NPP supporters attack their political opponents and vandalize state properties simply because their party has won political power? Why are they engaging in this act of violence when we have engaged law enforcers to protect and safeguard our interests?

Amazingly, the recent comments from leading members of both dominant parties – NPP and NDC – have gone to inflame passions. Instead of calling their supporters to order and working together with the security apparatus to find solution to the problem, they are rather engaging in intense politicking, and encouraging their supporters to become unruly.

While the Acting National Chairman of the NPP is reported, rather sadly, to have defended and backed the indecent act of his party supporters as “protecting state properties”, the National Chairman of the NDC in a press conference absolved the NDC counter attacks, and further advanced the argument that NDC lawbreakers should not be blamed for reprisal attacks emanating from “the beastly conduct of the Akufo-Addo invincible forces”. We find the intemperate language of these two political leaders unacceptable and unbefitting for National cohesion. Their comments are a threat to National Security and National Development.

These worrisome trends – socially unconstructive behavior – if encouraged, can only reflect the perpetrators assessment of their future economic prospects as uncertain and lead to a belief that Ghana is out of control.

This attitude can pose a threat to the development of competence and character among today’s youth who may find crime as an alternate source of income that promises greater short-term financial gains than employment.

We are by this statement sounding a word of caution to the leadership of the two parties especially the NPP because it is in power, to call their supporters to order. Ghana does not belong to NDC or NPP. We should not sit aloof for the two parties to plunge the country into chaos.

As a law abiding political party, we condemn the attacks and call on the security apparatus to bring the perpetrators to book. We commiserate with the victims of the attacks, and assure Ghanaians that the Progressive People’s Party will do everything within its powers to help stop this nastiness, if we are to create a just and disciplined society with a passion for excellence.

-Signed-

Nii Allotey Brew Hammond

National Chairman

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

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100 accident cases were reported within the period with about 157 vehicles involved.

The National Road Safety Commission (NRSC) at a media briefing on Monday said, 2016 saw increased incidents of motor accident compared to figures in 2015.

According to the Executive Director of the Commission, May Obiri Yeboah, about 2,000 motor accidents were recorded between January and November with about 1,400 people losing their lives.

“In 2015 there were 1,448 road accidents in the country. In 2016 there were 1,990 accidents and about 1,200 injured persons…. on all the indicators the number of cases have been on ascendancy this year.”

May Obiri Yeboah cautioned Ghanaians to ensure an accident-free festive season.

“The year 2016 has been very challenging for road safety targets; deaths and injuries… the target set for 2016 were 1,400 and 4,140 for persons killed and injured respectively. Unfortunately, by the end of November this year, a total of 11,378 accidents had been recorded throughout the country involving 17,746 vehicles. The total number of casualties stood at 12,144 and this is made up of 1,990 death and 10,154 injuries.”

“This situation exceeds the projected number of deaths by 38.26%.”

She said the statistics reveal the need to for more work to be done to ensure an accident-free Christmas. She called on drivers to be mindful of their conduct on the road to avoid endangering their lives and that of other road-users.

‘Post-election celebrations’

She said the Commission had noted with concern how some celebrants of the just ended general elections carried out their celebrations. Some celebrants were last week involved in an accident that left two people dead. According to the Commission, such incident could be avoided if road safety regulations are strictly observed.

Ing. May Obiri Yeboah further cautioned commercial motor riders against riding without protective helmets and speeding through traffic.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

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