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13.12.2004 General News

NDC calls for protection of life, property to avoid explosion

By GNA
NDC calls for protection of life, property to avoid explosion
13.12.2004 LISTEN

Accra, Dec. 13, GNA - Dr Obed Asamoah, National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Monday called on the security agencies to protect the life and property of members and supporters of the party else there would be an explosion in the country.

"We expect the security agencies to be able to take care of the life and property of NDC members and supporters, but if the perception should continue that they are either unwilling or unable to do so, then an explosive situation is in the making," he said.

He was speaking at the first press conference held by the party since the December 7 elections to bring to public attention certain security concerns which, he said, did not augur well for the country's democracy.

Dr Asamoah noted that since last Tuesday's elections, the party had been receiving reports of attacks on NDC members and supporters by "marauding bands of NPP thugs and youth, assisted by some elements of the security agencies."

He noted that very little was being done by the government and the security agencies to protect the life and property of NDC members, despite several reports made to the security agencies.

Dr Asamoah said the NDC could no longer tolerate the acts of violence, mayhem, murder, intimidation and vandalism, which appeared to represent the NPP's determined effort to terrorise NDC members and supporters into submission and a state of comatose.

He said the attacks on the life and property of NDC members gave the impression of "a victorious party gone berserk" and provoking NDC activists into possible retaliation, which could spell disaster for the country, if the security agencies did nothing about them.

"The leadership of the NPP must restrain its provocative, bellicose and belligerent supporters and calm the state of agitation in some constituencies in the interest of peace," he said.

Dr Asamoah said the NDC unreservedly condemned the post-election developments with particular regard to the security of its members, as it constituted an abuse with impunity of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the affected persons and blatant abuse of state authority.

He called on all the local and international electoral observer groups who undertook to monitor the elections to show concern about the post-election violence, which threatened the peace and security of the country.

"We wish to emphasize that the integrity of the entire electoral process cannot be restricted to events relating to polling day activities only, but must extend to all developments and events occurring immediately before and after polls," he said.

Dr Asamoah called for an independent investigation into circumstances that led to the death of Issa Mobila, CPP Northern Regional Chairman and leading member of NDC Campaign Team, who died in custody following torture at the hands of security agencies at the Kamina Barracks.

He also alleged that some NDC parliamentary candidates and their polling agents from the Northern Region were beaten and forced to flee their constituencies into bushes and some to Accra, saying they had become internally displaced.

"All these acts occurred in the full glare of the police and heavy military presence in the Tamale Metropolis, especially but who appear under orders to see nothing and do nothing," he alleged.

He also recounted various acts of violence against NDC members at Bonsu in the Fanteakwa Constituency, Yapei-Kusawgu, Tolon, Pru, Kibi, Yeji and other parts of the country, saying that if the violence did not stop, the peace of the country was under threat.

"It is our hope that our cherished democracy, built on the blood and toil of ordinary Ghanaians and successfully nourished and sustained by the NDC, will be maintained by the NPP at this critical point in our history," he said. 13 Dec. 04

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