• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• January 24, 2025
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• 4 minutes Read

Ahiagbah: NDC leadership responsible for current chaos

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the leadership of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by President John Dramani Mahama, of fostering and condoning violent activities in the aftermath of the December 7 general elections.

At a press conference held at the NPP headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra, yesterday, the party’s Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, claimed that the NDC’s leadership, led by President John Dramani Mahama, stood by as their supporters engaged in violent acts against individuals, institutions, and private entities across the country.

Mr. Ahiagbah noted that the NPP accepted its electoral defeat with dignity, congratulating President Mahama on his victory, and working to ensure a smooth and historic transfer of power on January 7, 2025. Despite this goodwill, he alleged, the NDC responded with aggression, allowing its members to take the law into their own hands to terrorize Ghanaians. 

He described the NDC’s actions as those of a party acting as though it had come to power through a coup d’état rather than a democratic process.

The NPP Communications Director detailed the violent incidents that began in the immediate aftermath of the elections. According to him, NDC supporters attacked the offices of the Electoral Commission, and destroyed electoral materials in constituencies where they had lost. He claimed they also stormed police stations in attempts to force declarations in their favour. These initial incidents, he explained, gave way to further violence, including attacks on government offices and private institutions.

He indicated that supporters of the NDC vandalized the New Juaben South Municipal Assembly, forcibly took over, and locked the premises of the Tema Oil Refinery, disrupted operations at COCOBOD offices, and invaded the Ministry of Energy. He also accused NDC members of setting police installations on fire in Ejura and Attebubu, and storming the Eastern regional offices of institutions such as the National Health Insurance Authority, the National Service Secretariat, School Feeding Programme, TVET facilities and the National Lottery Authority.

Mr. Ahiagbah further expressed particular concern over an attack on the AngloGold Ashanti mine in Obuasi, claiming it demonstrated a new level of violence that targeted private companies.

He alleged that the NDC’s leadership, including President Mahama, remained silent while these incidents unfolded, thereby encouraging their supporters to continue.

He criticized what he described as half-hearted statements from the NDC leadership, insisting that these were merely superficial attempts to create the appearance of concern. He argued that their failure to condemn the violent actions of their members was a clear indication of complicity.

He called on the NDC to take full responsibility for what he termed a blatant disregard for the rule of law. He urged President Mahama to demonstrate genuine leadership by taking decisive action to address the lawlessness within his party.

The NPP Communication Director contended that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) must bear responsibility for the gruesome killing of 11 individuals reportedly aligned with their party.

He lamented that the inaction of the NDC’s leadership encouraged the violent incidents that culminated in the tragic loss of lives in Obuasi.

“The silence of President John Mahama and the NDC leadership indeed urged their thugs to continue. They felt invincible, untouchable, and unstoppable. The bloodshed in Obuasi could have been avoided had the NDC cautioned their members against the violent rampage after the December 7th elections,” Mr. Ahiagbah stated.

According to him, the grassroots of a political party inherently follow the directives of their leadership. However, he claimed that on this occasion, the NDC’s leadership not only failed to curb violent tendencies among its supporters, but allegedly enabled such behaviour through its inaction.

Mr. Ahiagbah also linked the tragic event to what he described as an “absence of leadership,” reiterating that it was the NDC’s failure to issue strong directives that led to the deaths of its members. He stressed that those responsible for the acts of violence must be held accountable.

The NPP Communications Director further called on the Ghana Police Service to conduct an impartial and expeditious investigation into the killings, urging the security agencies to deliver justice. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that no individual or group involved in the crime escaped accountability.

“We would like to call on the Ghana Police Service to conduct its investigation and ensure justice is served expeditiously. We also want to warn the police not to engage in any backroom deals with the John Mahama Administration to shield anyone in this matter,” he added.

He further expressed hope that justice for the victims would not be undermined by political interference or influence from the NDC leadership, particularly former President Mahama.

“We are interested in justice for these NDC members and hope President John Dramani Mahama will not shield or clear anyone,” he added.

• goldcoastnewsline@gmail.com
• December 10, 2024
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• 3 minutes Read

Bawumia urges NPP members to avoid blame game

The Vice-President and Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the December 7 general elections, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on party’s rank and file to embrace unity, and avoid internal blame as they seek to rebuild the party after the 2024 general elections.

He has, therefore, emphasised the need for collective action to build a formidable force ahead of the 2028 general elections.

The NPP Presidential Candidate garnered 4.65 million votes, falling nearly 1.7 million votes behind the National Democratic Congress’ flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, who secured 6.3 million votes. The party also suffered substantial losses in the parliamentary elections.

Speaking at his residence during a meeting with parliamentary candidates and party sympathizers from the Klottey Korley, Anyaa-Sowutuom and Weija-Gbawe constituencies, Dr. Bawumia urged members to eschew blame, and rather focus on mobilization for the party’s greater good.

Dr. Bawumia attributed the NPP’s recent electoral challenges to voter apathy within its ranks, stating that a significant number of party supporters did not cast their ballots in the elections. He described that development as a wake-up call, and encouraged party members to remain optimistic about the future.

“We cannot afford to let apathy or blame divide us. Instead, we must unite and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity, and this is what will propel us forward as we prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead,” he said.

The Vice-President also highlighted the importance of maintaining faith in the party’s vision and in divine guidance, urging members not to despair. “As a party, we have overcome numerous challenges in the past, and I am confident that with hard work and faith in God, we can achieve even greater success,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia assured the gathering of the party’s commitment to addressing all concerns, and called on members to actively engage their communities. He stressed that the NPP’s vision for Ghana’s development could only be realized through the collective efforts of its members and supporters. He further reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the party’s structures, and strategising for a strong comeback in the next electoral cycle.

“We handed over this election to the NDC. The analysis shows that their numbers didn’t change; ours decreased by 40 percent. We just didn’t vote,” Dr. Bawumia stated, emphasising the need for collective responsibility rather than finger-pointing.

The Vice-President told party members that the current setback should not derail their focus on the future. “United we stand, divided we fall,” he stated, adding that faith in God’s plan should guide the party’s outlook. “We may not understand whatever we go through, but let’s trust in God. I know we are sad and in pain, but God knows best,” he added.

Dr. Bawumia reiterated that party faithful must stop the blame game, warning that it could be detrimental to the party’s prospects. “Blame can destroy the party. Let us come together, unite, and look towards the future,” he appealed.

He encouraged members to prioritize the collective good over personal ambitions. “At this stage, we are looking forward to building the party again. It is not about individual benefits but the party,” he said.