NDC Germany Chapter Condemns Biometric Registration Violence

The office of the communication Team under the auspices of Interim NDC Germany Chapter would like to condemn the barbaric attacks and intimidation on its party agents deployed to observe the biometric voters’ registration exercise by supporters of the largest opposition party, NPP in the Ashanti Region over the weekend.

Mr Yaw Owusu Obimpeh, the NDC Regional chairman, said the party's agents were chased out of some registration centres in the Suame Constituency for daring to challenge the eligibility of some minors. He mentioned the Bremang Royal Casbar, Maakro Presby and the Kwontwima Saint Dominic R/C centers. Mr Obimpeh also cited that the party’s parliamentary aspirant for Ejisu-Juaben, Madam Vida Addae who was the former Chairlady of NDC Hamburg branch was attacked at her constituency while touring the centres to assess progress of the exercise. In an exclusive interview by Karim Dagara, member of the communication Team of NDC Germany Chapter, Madam Addae stated that, she was brutally assaulted and her private vehicle was smashed by the NPP supporters after she confronted and challenged eligibility and qualification of under-aged children lined up for the registration processes.

The NDC Regional chairman (Mr Yaw Owusu Obimpeh) as a law abiding citizen pleaded with the NDC supporters not to reciprocate the illicit actions they (supporters) have been subject into. He (Mr Obimpeh) had however lodged formal report to the police.

Strong statements issued by the NDC Germany communication office lamented that “ Such acts of lawlessness and banditry perpetrated by NPP supporters especially those from the Ashanti Region is shameful and unconstitutional and must be strictly condemned by all discerning Ghanaians who want to see a peaceful and transparent upcoming December 2012 general presidential and parliamentary elections”

The NDC Germany communication office further condemned uncivilized statement issued by Kwaku Anane-Gyinde, Director of Communication of NPP Germany, a Story which appeared on www.ghanaweb.com on 21st March 2012 under the heading “NPP- Germany Condemns Attacks At Odododiodio” He wrote “While expressing our sympathies to our colleagues who were injured in these senseless attacks, let us remind ourselves that self-defence is legitimate and acceptable both in our domestic law and under international law . We should be prepared to defend ourselves in any future attacks“This statement empowers, Instigates and serves encouragements to all NPP supporters to employ violence that conforms to operation“All die be die “

Report by: Mensah Dekportor (Hamburg) krisview@yahoo.co.uk Tel. +491759861348

The Fourth Republican Constitution of 1992 guarantees the right of peaceful assembly for all Ghanaians. The NPP supporters who were brutally attacked by these NDC-sponsored tugs were simply exercising that fundamental right as enshrined in the constitution. To be attacked by hooligans and common criminals with the tacit support and approval of the party hierarchy smacks of desperation and weakness on the part of the NDC . The use of violence as a political weapon by the NDC is nothing new. Indeed we are not oblivious to the fact that the NDC is built on violence, believes in violence, preaches violence and practices violence and Tuesday’s attacks clearly demonstrates the willingness and determination of the beleaguered Mills-Mahama administration to resort to the politics of violence to intimidate its opponents. It will be recalled that since the NDC took over the reins of government in 2009,the use of violence and intimidation against other Ghanaians particularly NPP supporters has become the standard practice under this government. From Agbogbloshie, Akwatia, Chereponi to Atiwa those who perpetrated acts of violence against NPP supporters have never been apprehended and charged. This official complicity has created a culture of impunity that has emboldened these hooligans who have come to believe that they can break the law without being held accountable for their criminal acts. While expressing our sympathies to our colleagues who were injured in these senseless attacks, let us remind ourselves that self-defence is legitimate and acceptable both in our domestic law and under international law . We should be prepared to defend ourselves in any future attacks. Kwaku Anane-Gyinde Director of Communications NPP-Germany