The New Patriotic Party, NPP has indicated that it is committed to ensuring and promoting free and fair elections in Ghana but would not tolerate violence by any political party.
The Communications Director of the Party, Richard Ahiagbah in a statement said since 1992, the NPP has been a responsible political party that has played the game by the rules despite the threats of mayhem and violent acts unleashed on its members mainly by the thugs of the National Democratic Congress, NDC. He said Hon. Bryan Acheampong’s message is clear, “the NDC must stop threatening violence because they are not the only men in town. NPP, we have the men to threaten violence, but we prefer to play by the rules
In an interview, the Communications Director of the Party, Richard Ahiagbah, said that since 1992, the NPP had been a responsible political party that has played by the rules despite the threats and historical preponderance of violence of the National Democratic Congress, NDC.
Mr. Ahiagbah highlighted two issues from Hon. Bryan Acheampong’s message on violence. First, “the NDC must stop threatening violence because they are not the only men in town. Though NPP has the men to threaten violence, we don’t threaten the peace because we don’t condone violence and we play by the rules; we are democrats.” Secondly, on the subject of not handing power over to the NDC, the Director of Communication said “the economy is on a gradual rebound, and with the support of the IMF the economy will fully rebound, positioning the NPP to win the 2024 elections. In other words, Hon. Bryan Acheampong wished to communicate to the NDC simply that there would be no handing over of power to the NDC. Those who would misconstrue this clear-cut message would likely misconstrue it even if Hon Bryan Acheampong had preached about John 3:16. It is high time the NDC realizes that Ghanaians have had enough of their threats and use of violence during elections.
It will be recalled that ex-president Mahama who is currently vying for the flagbearership position of the NDC, last month threatened to unleash mayhem on the NPP when he said, “the NDC will match the NPP boot for boot in the 2024 elections if the government attempts to intimidate and harass supporters of the NDC”. Addressing party supporters in the Tain and Banda constituency in the Bono East Region, Mahama said, “The NDC will not joke in 2024.”
According to Richard Ahiagbah, the NPP has always responded to electoral malfeasance and violence visited on it by the NDC with electoral reform proposals to prevent future reoccurrence. “For instance, in 1992, when the NPP was cheated in the general elections, its leaders did not resort to violence or threaten mayhem. They instead launched the Stolen Verdict campaign in partnership with the other opposition political parties to demand electoral reform.” The Stolen Verdict campaign resulted in reforms such as the 1993 passage of Act 451, which established the Electoral Commission, Inter-party Advisory Committee, and the joint holding of presidential and parliamentary elections, among others. “These are consequential reform interventions the NPP has championed because we are committed to promoting the growth and sustenance of this Fourth Republic. The NDC is yet to propose a significant electoral reform as the NPP has done to strengthen Ghana’s electoral system.” Mr. Ahiagbah said.
Other important reform proposals by the NPP have led to changing the opaque ballot boxes used in the 1992 election to transparent electoral boxes in 1996, the introduction of voter identification cards with pictures, and many more. According to Mr. Ahiagbah, the NPP’s recommendations and proposals have led to a more robust democracy; therefore, “the NPP will not allow the NDC to retrogress the gains to democracy we have painstakingly nurtured since 1992. They will be made to play by the electoral rules as we have done since 1992, and their promise of violence will not be tolerated.
