Prof. Oquaye: Violence against women in politics will not be tolerated

By Chris Twum
Prof. Mark Oquaye
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it will not succumb to intimidatory tactics employed by the National Democratic Congress in the ongoing biometric registration exercise.

The party contends that 'no territory in Ghana is exclusive to anyone or any ethnic group.'

This was contained in a statement issued by the party in Accra on events at Odododioodioo constituency, which has recorded brutalities and harassments of persons believed to be sympathisers of the NPP.

Speaking at the party's office in the Odododioodioo Constituency in Accra yesterday, Prof. Mike Oquaye, Second Speaker of Parliament, stated emphatically that 'There can be no, no go areas in Ghana whatsoever, Kantamanto has got all the tribes in Ghana- Mamprusis, Hausas, Dagombas, Ewes, Akan, Fanti and Gas.'

This is in the wake of events of violence which saw one of the leading NPP activists, Ursula Owusu, beaten up when she visited the constituency on 11th April, 2012 during the biometric registration.

Prof Michael Oquaye noted that the attempt to disfranchise some people who are ordinarily resident in that constituency should not stand.

'Gas love to live with all and sundry, we say Ablekuma Ablekuma wo - meaning we want to welcome strangers so as to make progress together. The NPP belongs to all tribes. Gas is part of it. Two of the six founders of the UGCC were Gas,' Prof. Michael Oquaye added.

He called on Ghanaians to eschew on hooligans and brawlers who to take delight in molesting women who are bold enough to participate in Ghanaian politics.

Prof. Quaye noted that the attack on Ursula is a serious blow to Ghanaian womanhood, in reference to the fact that there are only 19 women out of the 230 MPs in parliament, and thus the incident was a disincentive to women who are willing to enter into politics.

'The image of Ghana is sinking… These shameful things are happening because the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate from Odododiodioo has declared this place a no go area for people he s as political opponents,' he stressed.

Prof. Oquaye called on the entire Ghana Police Service and the IGP to protect all Ghanaians to let then go about their businesses peacefully.

He said every Ghanaian has the freedom to monitor the registration anywhere in Ghana.