NPP cries foul over NDC intimidation

From Michael Boateng, Sunyani
The Brong-Ahafo Regional Secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has expressed grave concern over the atrocities and barbaric behaviour of some National Democratic Congress (NDC) activists, allegedly aided by some leading members of the party, who are expected to know better.

At a press conference held in Sunyani, the Chairman of the Brong-Ahafo Electoral Committee of the party, Paul Oko, alleged that top NDC ministers from the region were behind the atrocities and barbaric behaviour of party thugs.

According to Mr. Paul Oko, the unwanted and unprovoked atrocities being meted out to NPP sympathisers by some NDC people, who are encouraged by the aforementioned leaders of the party, cannot be explained, except that those ministers and their ruthless inhumane supporters have pledged to deliver all the Ahafo parliamentary seats to the NDC, by fair or foul means.

He continued that since it had become clear and difficult for the NDC to achieve this aim through the normal electoral process, due to the fact that the wind of change has permeated the whole of Ghana, especially in the Brong-Ahafo Region, the NDC had resorted to threats, intimidations, brutalities, lies and other unreasonable acts of violence.

“More so, because they have realised that the monies and inducement gifts cannot change the will of the electorates,” he added.

Mr. Paul Oko, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Asutifi North, indicated that violence and intimidation were not the preserve of any individual, and the NDC should recognise that there is a limit to everybody's sense of endurance.

He said the fact that the NPP has been repeating the issue of violence and atrocities to the public demonstrates that the party wishes for a peaceful atmosphere before, during, and after the elections.

“These things are being brought to the notice of the general public for [the] authorities to sit up and find ways of ensuring peace,” Mr. Oko said.

The NPP recounted some of the alleged unspeakable and inhumane brutalities meted to NPP supporters, indicating that the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Joseph Daha, for no apparent reason, was beaten and had his neck bruised, and had to be admitted at the hospital.

Mr. Obeng Appiah, Asutifi South NPP Chairman, was severely beaten at Nkaseim and was admitted at hospital; at Goaso/Mim, NPP supporters have been brutalised, while an NDC top minister's machomen kidnapped and stripped some young people naked, who were campaigning for the NPP, including a young lady at Techimantia in the Tano South Constituency.

The NPP further stated that during the limited registration exercise, some people who had come to register at Kenyasi from Asutifi South and were going back home, realised they were being trailed by a pick-up, being allegedly driven by a brother of Alhaji Collins Dauda and his macho men, but for their vigilance, they would have been waylaid and brutalised.

When they detected they were being trailed, they had to make a quick u-turn to the Kenyasi police, who escorted them to their destinations, under armed police guard.

According to the NPP, while the Ahafo area of Brong-Ahafo is boiling, clouds and thunder are gathering in the Dormaa area, where on Tuesday September 20, 2016, several NPP supporters were allegedly beaten up mercilessly by soldiers from the 3BN of Sunyani, on the orders of an MCE.

They explained that the NPP supporters were performing their civic and electoral duties, as observers at the District Electoral Office, to ensure that only legally qualified and eligible registered voters would be allowed to transfer their votes.

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NPP will lay foundation for free SHS -Arthur Dadzie

From Naabenyin Joojo Amissah, Cape Coast
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate for Cape Coast South Constituency, Lawyer Michael Arthur-Dadzie, has hinted that a New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, under Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will lay a solid foundation and build strong pillars that could sustain free Senior High School (SHS) education in Ghana.

He noted that Ghana, as a country, could tap and develop the inherent potentials of the citizenry, through quality education that has a sound foundation and could withstand the test of time at all levels, as Nana Addo and the NPP want for all Ghanaians.

Arthur Dadzie, who stated this at the launch of his campaign for the forthcoming general elections, called on all Ghanaians to vote the NPP into power for change that would transform their lives.

“I always believe, and it is a factual thing, that every individual is endowed with inherent potential, and when you put in place the proper structures and proper environment, you will be able to unearth them for their personal development,” he added.

Touching on the fishing industry, Lawyer Dadzie observed that a more vigorous fight against pair trawling, a non-traditional fishing practice, was required, to be able to save the fishes from further depletion.

He added that the activities of pair trawling have not only impeded the work of the ordinary fishermen, but have also plunged the fishermen into all forms of debts, including premix fuel, nets and other fishing inputs.

He bemoaned the situation whereby 'pair trawlers' carry out their expeditions with much impunity, and destroy the nets and canoes of fishermen, without any punishment being meted out to them.

“We need to put in place proper structures to ensure that what is a canker and an impediment is removed,” he asserted, and pointed out that an NPP administration, under Nana Addo, would put in place stringent measures that would restore the fishing industry to it past glory.

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Dunkwahene marks 10th Anniversary
From Sebastian R. Freiku, Dunkwa-on-Offin
Nana Obeng Nuakoh III, Chief Dunkwa-on-Offin in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality, is set to observe the 10th Anniversary of his installation, alongside the 'Bragro Festival' of the people of Dunkwa.

The weeklong anniversary activities, which started last Monday, September 26, and coincided with the birthday of the Chief, ends on Sunday October 2, 2016, under the theme: “Developing the nation through Good leadership.”

The 'Bragro festival' comes off on Friday September 30, 2016, followed by a grand durbar on Saturday October 1, 2016, and a Church Service on Sunday October 2, to round off the anniversary.

Nana Obeng Nuakoh appealed to his colleague chiefs and queenmothers to promote peace in their areas of jurisdiction.

He also appealed to Ghanaians and political leaders to advise their followers against intolerance, abuses, and insults, to ensure peaceful elections in December.

Pix: Nana ObengNuakoh III, Chief, Dunkwa-on-Offin