Parliamentary candidates discuss peaceful electioneering

Tarkwa (W/R), Oct. 24, GNA - The Wassa West District Security Council (DISEC) has summoned all Parliamentary Candidates vying for the two seats in the District for discussions on peaceful electioneering campaign.

Present were six the candidates contesting Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Prestea/Huni-Valley constituencies.

They were Mr Albert Kwaku Obbin, New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Incumbent; Mr Plange Kaye, Independent Candidate and Mr J. K. Akakpo, National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Prestea/Huni-Valley Constituency.

Those contesting Tarkwa-Nsuaem constituency were: Mrs Gifty Eugenia Kusi of NPP (incumbent) and Mr John Ansah Mensah, Independent candidate. Mr Joseph Armah, Convention People's Party (CPP) and Mr Solomon Amoah of NDC were represented.

The meeting was convened due to the recent clashes at Bogoso between supporters of Mr Obbin and those of Mr Plange Kaye during keep-fit exercise.

Consequently, DISEC has fixed three days to be rotated among the three parties - NDC, NPP and Independent candidates, in the Prestea/Huni-Valley Constituency as keep-fit days.

Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Ayensu, Wassa West District Chief Executive, in his opening address, identified keep-fit exercise as one major source leading to violence in, especially Bogoso and Prestea.

He, therefore, called on the MPs to advise their supporters to refrain from acts that would result in violence.

Mr Ayensu said it is unfortunate that both sitting MPs and aspiring MPs were preaching peace but their supporters were engaged in violence, vilification and animosity, adding that these would not create good condition for investment.

He said President John Agyekum Kufuor had been globetrotting to woo investors and they would only come when there was peace in the country. Mr Ayensu told various political party supporters to exercise restraint in the face of extreme provocation.

Mr Akakpo observed that relationship between Mr Plange Kaye and Mr Obbin had not been cordial and this had affected the supporters as well. He said it was better to sort out their differences and live in peace adding, "after all we are all brothers".

Mr Obbin, however, said, he did not see any political tension at Prestea and Bogoso area and accused Mr Plange Kaye's supporters of first attacking his supporters at Bogoso, who then retaliated.

Mr Obbin said the Government would be accused of being unable to move the democratic process in the country forward and, therefore, appealed to NPP supporters to exercise restraint in the face of extreme provocation.

Mr Plange Kaye expressed concern about lies being peddled about other contestants, who were not NPP members, adding these amounted to misinformation and would not allow the electorate to make informed decision as to whom to vote for.

Mrs. Kusi welcomed the meeting as timely and suggested that such meetings should be convened from time to time to resolve issues that seemed to disturb the peace.

She called on the Police to thoroughly investigate cases and to bring those who flouted the law to book.