PPP calls on President to back his words with actions

The Women’s Wing of Progressive People’s Party (PPP) on Friday called on President John Evans Atta Mills to back his words with actions that would discourage violence at the on-going biometric voter registration exercise in the country.

Ms Rebecca Agbogah, an Executive Member of PPP Women’s Committee, addressing a press conference in Accra said it was discouraging that President Mills had failed to issue any official directives to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to act without fear or favour, and reprimand the people including National Democratic Congress (NDC) party members who were causing so much fear and panic in the country.

“We are convinced that President Mills is not in-charge,” she said.

President Mills had earlier condemned pockets of violence that had characterised the registration exercise and called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to ensure success of the on-going biometric voter registration exercise during a visit to some registration centres in the Volta Region.

Ms Agbogah noted that, the sentiments by President Mills were not enough, but he must ensure that perpetrators of such violent behaviours were punished to discourage others from such acts.

She expressed disapproval of the PPP Women’s Wing in all uncertain terms the alleged violence in some areas of the country, saying these were just the reported cases, but the PPP believed that there were a lot more spiteful instances which had not been reported yet.

Ms Agbogah challenged political parties to be humble enough to complete the challenge form instead of engaging in such needless attacks if they had legitimate concerns.

“We must all agree that what is happening in this country could pose grave security threats and if we fail to put an end to it, it could generate into something catastrophic,” she said.

Ms Agbogah however urged the EC to remain confident, independence and professional, saying the EC’s credibility could not be compromised in any manner.

She urged Ghanaians to be proud to have an Electoral Commission whose veracity, professional aptitude and achievements had rocketed after fruitfully supervising five successful elections within 20 years, adding “This is not the time to smudge such well-merited standing”.

Ms Agbogah argued that, the registration of people to participate in elections was a normal thing which should not generate into violent behaviour and injuring of people, adding “The unchecked sticky situation that has been recorded at some of the registration centres in Ghana should be a matter of concern to all well meaning Ghanaians especially women”.

She stressed that the PPP was passionate about women and children and assured the citizenry that Ghana would not experience the nightmare of any electoral violence as such unfortunate incidents had often had very negative impact on the vulnerable which included mostly women and children.

Ms Agbogah called on the general public to be vigilant to uphold and defend the good name of Ghana by resisting any attempt by any political party to throw the peaceful country into chaos through their actions and in-actions.

She reminded political parties of their promises to the electorate, and conform to the rules of the EC to help create an atmosphere of peace and security to sustain the country's young democracy adding "The PPP would compile its observations for delivery to the EC at the appropriate time".**