NPP-Germany condemns in the strongest terms the unprovoked and senseless attacks on NPP supporters in Bawku by persons believed to be members of the National Democratic Congress [NDC].Such acts of lawlessness and flagrant disregard for the lives and property of fellow Ghanaians is not only unacceptable but dangerous for the peace and stability of our country especially in an election year.
We must point out that the recent attack on NPP supporters in Bawku by NDC supporters is not an isolated incident but part of a well-planned strategy aimed at intimidating members and sympathisers of the NPP. Since the Mills-Mahama administration took over the reins of government in 2009, there has been a systematic campaign of violence against members, supporters and sympathisers of the NPP with the full knowledge and support of the NCD leadership including President Atta-Mills.
This orchestrated campaign of intimidation and violence against members and supporter of the NPP took an ugly turn when four of our supporters were brutally murdered in broad day light at the Agbogbloshie market by NDC supporters. Although the culprits were clearly and fully identified, no arrest has as yet been made, not to talk of possible prosecution. NPP supporters in Chereponi in the Northern Region of Ghana suffered a similar faith at the hands of NDC tugs during the bye elections in the Chereponi Constituency. These tugs and common criminals who call themselves foot soldiers went on a rampage by attacking NPP supporters with impunity in the full glare of personnel of the Ghana Police Service who simply stood by and took no action. This led to the death of two people and several others seriously injured. In another bye-election held in Akwatia in the Eastern Region, the NDC actually lived up to its reputation as a party that believes in the use of violence as a political weapon. Following the declaration of Jihad by Baba Jamal, Deputy Minister designate for Tourism, NDC supporters turned Akwatia into a Battle ground attacking ordinary citizens as well as NPP Officials who had travelled to Akwatia to observe the elections. In the said incident, vehicles belonging to several leading members of NPP were destroyed. We are yet to hear of any arrest regarding this matter.
In 2010, the NDC government under “Asomdehene” Atta-Mills unleashed a reign of terror on the people of Atiwa after the people have refused to be intimidated by tugs and rogues called Asoga Boys who were purposely transported from Tamale to come and cause mayhem and disrupt the Atiwa bye-elections. As part of this grand plan, the National Women Organiser of the ruling NDC Miss Anita Desouza deliberately drove through a crowd injuring many people some of whom have been maimed for life. Despite the gravity of this criminal act, Miss Anita Desouza has not been invited by the police to make a statement on this important issue to the best of our knowledge.
It is sad to note, that all these which in our view constitutes acts of state-sponsored terrorism are happening under the watch of President Atta-Mills the self styled “Asomdwehene”. His failure to act makes him a willing accomplice to the perpetuation of culture of violence and impunity in our country. Like most Ghanaians, we accept the fact that the President has been a failure and a disaster for this country. But what we cannot and will not accept is that he cannot fail to provide Ghanaians the peace and security that we deserve and this is the least we expect of him in view of his abysmal performance in all other sectors.
We do not for a moment believe that the Ghana Police Service is incapable of investigating all these cases and bring the perpetrators to justice. What they need is the courage to stand and live up to their first duty which is to serve Ghana and not a particular political party. Against this backdrop we call on the Upper East Regional Police Command to invite Mr Mahama Ayariga for questioning regarding his rather reckless and misguided statements of incitement which has led/contributed to this unfortunate incident.
Finally, we wish to express our sympathies to all NPP supporters whose houses and other properties were destroyed following these attacks. We urge them to be resolute and steadfast in their determination to fight the NDC boot for boot because ALL DIE BE DIE.
Signed Kwaku Anane-Gyinde Director of Communications NPP-Germany
