Soldiers assault activist and journalists

Preparations towards the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Campaign launch for the 2016 elections at Cape Coast Sunday witnessed a nasty incident when an NDC youth activist was physically assaulted by military officers on duty at the stadium Saturday evening.

The unfortunate incident happened when the victim whose identity is not immediately known without permission lifted one of the barricades manned by the soldiers to allow cars of some NDC bigwigs to drive through.

The soldiers who were angered by the young man’s action which they saw as a usurpation of their powers, accosted him and questioned his authority to lift the barricade for passage.

In the event an exchange of words ensued following which the soldiers manhandled him with some slaps much to the anger of some NDC activists who were standing by.

The party youth who also could not look on as the member was being assaulted and humiliated, also attacked the military during which a scuffle ensued.

Kasapafmonline.com lenses which were close to the scene captured the action on tape. While the scuffled was being filmed, a young lady who is an NDC activists and described by her colleagues as a vixen spotted the Kasapafmonline.com reporter filming the action.

She raised an alarm and suddenly both the soldiers and the NDC activists turned their attention on the journalist trying unsuccessfully to seize the mobile phone which was being used to record, ostensibly to delete the videos. This website’s crew vehemently resisted the attempt and only took the intervention of the Commander of the soldiers on duty and some executives of the I Choose JM team to ensure peace.

The ruling party has converged in the Central regional capital, Cape Coast, to launch their party’s campaign for the 2016 elections.

With this campaign launch, the NDC becomes the first party to begin political campaigning after its main contender, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) postponed their manifesto launch last week.

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to launch the campaign which will be followed by the introduction of the parliamentary candidates to the party supporters.

Security will be tight as police and soldiers have already mounted scanners and other security installations at vantage points in the town as well as inside the venue.