... To Ghanaians In The Public Arena
18th July, 2008 The NPP 2008 Campaign Committee wishes to condemn in the strongest terms, the increasing threats to Ghanaians involved in the political process and national affairs.
Some weeks ago, following the conviction of Mr. Tsatsu Tsikata by a court of competent jurisdiction, some judges, including the trial judge received threats from radio callers and through text messages. While we wish Mr. Tsikata well as he pursues his rights of appeal, these threats were unacceptable and subversive of the “rule of law”. Soon after these incidents, the Managing Editor of the “Daily Guide” newspaper, Ms Gina Blay, made a report to the authorities after she was threatened. This week, the 2008 NPP Campaign’s Operation’s Committee’s Chair, Nitch Adi Daku, made a report to authorities following threats to him and other members of his family relayed through text messages. These threats are under investigations. Across the nation, we have received increasingly persistent reports of party activists who have been threatened following appearances on radio programs on behalf of the party.
The threats to judges in connection with Mr. Tsikata’s case were disturbingly reminiscent of those issued by former President Rawlings to judges involved in reviewing AFRC cases and convictions a few weeks before he deposed the Limann administration through a military coup. Within months, three of those judges, Justices Agyapong, Sarkodie and Koranteng-Addo were abducted from their homes by operatives of the PNDC government and, together with Major (Rtd) Acquah, murdered in cold blood. These threats and the subsequent murder of the judges are clearly detailed in the report of the National Reconciliation Commission and a matter of public knowledge.
These threats are from those in our society who wish to return this nation to the dark days of intimidation and violence. Their behaviour is subversive of the democratic culture we seek to build and must be condemned by all who are committed to our democracy.
Let civil society condemn in the strongest terms these anti-democratic tendencies.
We urge the relevant authorities to take immediate and positive steps to ensure peace during this election year. We are concerned that if such threats are not addressed, they may give rise to vigilantes in our party and others taking the law into their own hands, to deter such threats and to protect themselves. We urge our supporters to exercise patience while the relevant authorities address these issues.
While they have not been explicitly linked to the NDC, they have a special responsibility, on account of their origins in the PNDC and its violent history, to clearly dissociate themselves from it and to condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Aside from his party, the former President has a duty to his country, his party and his reputation to clearly condemn these threats coming from those who are assumed to take their inspiration from him.
The failure of the NDC to condemn those behind these threats will fuel the perception, right or wrong, that they either support the threats or are indifferent to their implications. Let the NDC take a stand, on the side of democracy, the rule of law and peaceful elections, for the sake of our country.
Long live Ghana!
Let us move forward in peace and freedom! Yenko yanim!
Arthur Kobina Kennedy, (Chair, Communication Committee) 2008 NPP Campaign
