Northern Development Forum appeals for violence free Ghana

Accra, May 23, GNA - The Northern Development Forum (NDF) an advocacy group working to promote the development of the North has appealed to all political parties to work assiduously to ensure that Ghana was free of violence to ensure equitable development.

In a statement issued in Accra and signed by Dr Hakeem Wemah, chairman of the forum said 'NDF has received with shock and dismay the tragic death of Mr. Adams Mahama, the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Upper East Regional Chairman, as a result of acid that was poured on him last Wednesday'.

Dr Wemah said, 'Whatever political reasons that may be linked to this barbaric act, it should be treated as a clear criminal case', and that the culprits should be dealt with as such so as to serve as a deterrent to others.

He said while condemning the heinous act, the forum expressed its sympathy and condolence to the family of Mr. Mahama, and that, it shared in their grief and loss and prayed that the Almighty God blessed the family.

The statement said, 'We are taking this opportunity to make a passionate appeal to all people resident in the three Northern Regions and the whole country to put an end to all forms of violence to ensure peace and security'.

Dr Wemah said the Northern Development Forum was particularly concerned by the recent political and chieftaincy conflicts and violence that had erupted in Bolgatanga and its environs, allegedly caused by people of the same or different families and political parties.

He said Bolgatanga and most towns in the northern part of Ghana had been noted country-wide as friendly and peace-loving towns but unfortunately, recent violent events tainted parts of the north and were depriving the area of praise-worthy attributes.

'We strongly condemn any form of violence and we therefore ask all those who take delight in causing trouble to desist from such acts since the north has too many developmental challenges to address that we cannot and should not let partisan politics take us away from these challenges, which are of great concern to the NDF and the entire people from the northern part of Ghana', it said.

The forum expressed hope that all those causing violence would bury the hatchet and give peace a chance saying, 'Let us love one another without pretense, avoid what is evil and stick to what is good'.

'We also hope that all political parties, the government, the Media, the Electoral Commission (EC), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the law enforcement agencies would do all within their capacity to promote a conducive atmosphere of peace and tranquility as we are preparing for the December 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections', it said.

GNA