The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Asante Akyem North Constituency has condemned what it describes as the "callous and unwarranted" actions of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The NDC in the Asante Akyem North Constituency is accusing the ruling party of forcibly bussing Senior High School (SHS) students to its campaign launch in Asante Akyem Agogo on August 20, 2024.
In a statement issued on Thursday, August 22, 2024, signed by Mustapha Osman, its Communications Officer in Asante Akyem North, the NDC claimed that the NPP, fearing low attendance at its campaign launch, resorted to "venting their spleen on innocent students" by compelling them to attend the event.
The NDC alleged that students from Collins SHS, Oweriman SHS, and others from as far as Konongo, Juaso, Nobuam, and Bosome Freho were all bussed to the campaign grounds.
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"Knowing how unpopular the party has become within the constituency, the NPP knew clearly that their campaign launch would be nothing to write home about in terms of attendance," the NDC stated.
"It continued, "To avert this imminent humiliation, the NPP had no option but to forcibly buss students to the campaign grounds."
The NDC also raised concerns about the timing of the event, as it coincided with the student's preparation for their WASSCE oral English examination, which was scheduled within 24 hours of the campaign launch.
The party claimed that the NPP showed little regard for the student's academic commitments and well-being, alleging that the students were not provided with meals during the event.
The NDC described the NPP's actions as a "desperate move" to politicize educational institutions and called on all Ghanaians, civil society, parents, and the general public to condemn the alleged incident.
"We call on them to spare our innocent students and not to use them as sacrificial lambs as the NPP gasps for breath in their sinking boat," the statement noted.
The NDC further warned that it would "use all legitimate means to resist future occurrences of such draconian tactics" by the NPP within the constituency as the 2024 electioneering campaign progresses.
