NDC calls on NPP to be sincere towards reconciliation

Mr Emmanuel Nti-Fordjour, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to demonstrate sincere and genuine commitment towards national reconciliation by halting what he described as "its acts of terror and political persecution of the NDC supporters".

He said the NPP could not be taken seriously for its promises about reconciling the nation while sections of the population, for reasons of political association, continued to live under constant harassment and intimidation.

These were contained in a statement he issued and signed in Kumasi on Thursday.

The statement comes in the wake of the trial of nine NDC supporters at a Kumasi Circuit Tribunal for alleged involvement in acts of political violence during the October 1, Kumawu constituency parliamentary bye-election at Kumawu.

They are Shaibu Abdul Yakeen, Ashura Ahmed, Adjara Musa, Salu Ibrahim, Ayishetu Seidu, Comfort de Gaulle, Akosua Gyamfuaa, Adiza Atta and Shafarn Fuseini.

The nine appeared before the tribunal on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to charges of causing harm and damaging a lady's dress.

They were remanded in prison custody and would re-appear on Monday, October 28.

Mr Nti-Fordjour held that abuse of incumbency and state power would not serve the cause of the country's democracy.

"It could snowball into unnecessary political tension, suspicion and mistrust", he stated, adding that, this could in the end undermine the peace and harmony in the country.

The NDC regional chairman said political conflicts should be resolved through dialogue and compromise.