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07.04.2005 Politics

Tension Mounts At Asawase

07.04.2005 LISTEN
By Graphic

THE political temperature at the Asawase Constituency in Kumasi is rising, following accusations by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the alleged assault of the widow of the former NDC Member of Parliament for the area by a group of New Patriotic Party (NPP) members.

The situation looked so disturbing and dangerous that the Chief Imam, Sheik Imam Musah, in an interview with the Graphic called for calm from the opposing camps and remain united rather than allowing politics to divide them.

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, Mr Nti Fordjour, stated yesterday that the NDC would take a court action against the perpetrators of the alleged assault on the wife of the late MP.

He said the woman had lodged a complaint with the Asawase police awaiting further action before they proceed with the intended action.

Mr Nti-Fordjour said the police had been asked to offer some protection for the widow.

On Tuesday, the Minister for Women and Children's Affairs, Hajia Alima Mahama, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mrs Patricia Appeagyei, the NPP candidate for the Asawase bye-election, Alhaji S. M. Shariff and some NPP activists visited the widow of the late MP to console her on the death of her husband.

However, the visit turned out to be muddy political waters in the area as the woman complained that she was assaulted by one of the NPP members.

Earlier reports had indicated that the Deputy Regional Minister slapped Hajia Naana, the widow, when she refused to accept a monetary offer from her.

But, the widow came out yesterday to explain that although someone hit her she could not identify the person.

The ministers and the aspiring MP had vehemently denied that any such incident took place.

They explained that although the widow rejected their cash donation nothing like a scuffle or assault took place.

According to them, the allegation was an attempt by the woman and the NDC to play the political card especially as they knew the NPP was making inroads into their so-called political power-base of Asawase.

Fierce accusations had since been emerging from the NDC camp with the NPP firing back to protect the image of the party.

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