NPP –Germany Condemns Attacks At Odododiodio

The Germany Branch of the New Patriotic Party [NPP] condemns in the strongest terms the unprovoked attacks on NPP supporters by supporters of the ruling NDC in the Odododiodio constituency in Accra on Tuesday

Such acts of lawlessness and banditry perpetrated by supporters of a ruling party is not just shameful but distasteful and must be condemned by all who want to see a peaceful and stable Ghana.

The Fourth Republican Constitution of 1992 guarantees the right of peaceful assembly for all Ghanaians. The NPP supporters who were brutally attacked by these NDC-sponsored tugs were simply exercising that fundamental right as enshrined in the constitution. To be attacked by hooligans and common criminals with the tacit support and approval of the party hierarchy smacks of desperation and weakness on the part of the NDC .

The use of violence as a political weapon by the NDC is nothing new. Indeed we are not oblivious to the fact that the NDC is built on violence, believes in violence, preaches violence and practices violence and Tuesday’s attacks clearly demonstrates the willingness and determination of the beleaguered Mills-Mahama administration to resort to the politics of violence to intimidate its opponents.

It will be recalled that since the NDC took over the reins of government in 2009,the use of violence and intimidation against other Ghanaians particularly NPP supporters has become the standard practice under this government. From Agbogbloshie, Akwatia, Chereponi to Atiwa those who perpetrated acts of violence against NPP supporters have never been apprehended and charged. This official complicity has created a culture of impunity that has emboldened these hooligans who have come to believe that they can break the law without being held accountable for their criminal acts.

Against this backdrop we call on the Ghana Police Service to live up their responsibilities by ensuring that the perpetrators of Tuesday’s attacks are brought to justice. This is a test case for the Police Service and how well and effectively they handle it will demonstrate their level of preparedness for the December Polls.

While expressing our sympathies to our colleagues who were injured in these senseless attacks, let us remind ourselves that self-defence is legitimate and acceptable both in our domestic law and under international law . We should be prepared to defend ourselves in any future attacks.

Kwaku Anane-Gyinde

Director of Communications

NPP-Germany