The National Democratic Congress' Disability Desk has condemned attacks on one of its supporters by individuals reportedly affiliated with the New Patriotic Party.
The victim, identified as Samson Adjei, who is deaf, was harassed by campaigners of the ruling party while riding past a campaign float in Asawinso, a community in the Bibiani municipal area of the Western North Region.
Additionally, the perpetrators subjected him to a mob beating after he attempted to complain about their behavior.
Samson Adjei subsequently passed out due to the severity of the brutality meted out to him and was rushed to the hospital for treatment.
“The victim, Samson Adjei, popularly known as Kofi Kaah, was riding slowly past an NPP campaign float when the campaigners unduly harassed him and plucked fingers of plantain from the bunch he was carrying on his motorbike. In reaction to his verbal protest, he was pushed to the ground and subjected to a merciless mob beating. In addition to blows and kicks, he was struck severally with the blunt end of his cutlass.
“Being deaf, he could not hear what his assailants were saying, neither could he speak to them. He was revived after he collapsed from the beating and sent to the hospital for treatment. While recovering, his face and several parts of his body are swollen and his vision has been affected as he finds it difficult adjusting to light. It is believed that he was subjected to this level of violence because of his known affiliation to the NDC,” parts of the statement said.
A statement signed by the executives of the Disability Desk expressed disgust, describing the incident as unacceptable.
According to them, the act undermines the country’s democratic principles, which allows every individual the right to associate with any political party of their choice without fear of intimidation.
“Such behavior is not only unacceptable: it also undermines the very foundation of our democratic principles where every citizen is free to be associated to any group of persons of any political persuasion and should feel safe to express beliefs without fear of intimidation and violence,” it added.
Frederick Assor, the National Coordinator of the NDC Disability Desk, has called for the arrest and prosecution of the individuals involved.
He also urged various organizations to address the matter and ensure that justice is served.
Read the full statement below;
MAG/AE