Ayawaso violence: Tone down – Peace Council urges Mahama

The National Peace Council has called on former President John Mahama to tone down following his outburst at the violence that characterized the Thursday by-election at Ayawaso West-Wuogon in Accra.

Mr. Mahama, reacting to the polls which registered intense violence leading to the withdrawal of the opposition from the contest, said the NDC will “advise” themselves ahead of the 2020 elections.

“I want to sound a caution that NDC has a revolutionary root and when it comes to unleashing violence no one can beat us to that. It is just that we midwife this country’s democracy and that is why we must be the first to respect it. That is why we are acting as a party that is docile and respecting the rule of law. But if we believe that the government cannot protect our people and we believe that the government is using its vigilante groups and illegal forces to intimidate and harass and injure our people, then we may have to advise ourselves”.

Speaking on the development, chairman of the National Peace Council Professor Emmanuel Asante called for calm and advised political leaders to be circumspect in their utterances.

“ I urge him (Mahama) to tone down. I believe he may have spoken on the heat of what happened yesterday so I appeal to him to calm down. Leadership should be circumspect under such circumstances to weigh every word they utter so they do not create tension in this country.

“The perpetrators of these acts should be brought to book. Lack of management of the situation through communication can create doubts in the minds of the people and that is not the best,” Reverend Asante told Francis Abban on the Morning Starr Friday.

The United Nations Development Program has condemned the violence that characterised Thursday’s by-elections in the Ayawaso West-Wuogon constituency in Accra.

In a statement, the UNDP urged Ghanaians not be complacent about the peace being enjoyed in the country.

“The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is following with interest the current by-election in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in the Greater Accra region as a new illustration of the democratic process in which it is anchored in Ghana.

“However, we drew our attention to media reports of acts of violence and fire involving unidentified gunmen at the La Bawalashie Presby JHS polling station during the day which injured at least six people.

“We strongly condemn this impunity and these blatant acts of violence that undermine Ghana’s hard-won democracy and peace. Ghana, as a pillar of stability in the subregion, should not become complacent. We all call for avoiding violence and the use of incendiary language that could increase tensions,” the statement signed by Ms. Gita Welch, Resident Representative said.