The United States Embassy in Ghana says it will not hesitate to "consider" the option of "denying and revoking visas" to Ghanaians who incite political violence.
Whiles acknowledging that campaigns can "be vigorous and sometimes contentious" the Embassy voiced out its condemnation of "political violence in Ghana, especially any violent acts directed at political candidates, their homes or families".
It has therefore called on all political "actors to remain peaceful and respect the democratic process."
In a statement issued hours after a clash between some supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), in front of the Nima residence the NPP Flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, during a health walk organised by the former, the US Embassy, whiles touting the country's tradition of peaceful, democratic elections, pointed out that "the government of the United States does not support a particular candidate or a particular party. We support democracy."
"In the period leading up to and following Ghana’s elections on December 7, we call on all actors to remain peaceful and respect the democratic process. We encourage all parties to make it clear to their constituents that any violence or attempts to use intimidation to disrupt the democratic process is unacceptable.
The United States will consider all options to hold responsible those who incite political violence, including denying or revoking visas," the statement partly read.
Read the full statement below
STATEMENT ON THE PEACEFUL ELECTORAL PROCESS IN GHANA
ACCRA, GHANA - The United States condemns all political violence in Ghana, especially any violent acts directed at political candidates, their homes or families. While campaigns can be vigorous and sometimes contentious, violence has no place in the electoral process.
In the period leading up to and following Ghana’s elections on December 7, we call on all actors to remain peaceful and respect the democratic process. We encourage all parties to make it clear to their constituents that any violence or attempts to use intimidation to disrupt the democratic process is unacceptable.
The United States will consider all options to hold responsible those who incite political violence, including denying or revoking visas. The United States applauds Ghana’s tradition of peaceful, democratic elections.
The international community is working with the Electoral Commission, National and Regional Peace Councils, NGOs, civil society organizations, the media, the police and others to support Ghana’s efforts to hold credible and nonviolent presidential elections. We urge all to participate peacefully in the democratic process—before, during and after Election Day.
The government of the United States does not support a particular candidate or a particular party. We support democracy. We will continue to work with the freely elected government of Ghana, just as we always have.
Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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They whole World will seen through the violence behavior of JOHN Mahama and is NDC .
The ruling gov't should rather be ashamed of themselves for trying to abused and intimidate the opposition leader and his party . No one is stopping any party to use public street but you don't PROVOKED your opponent when passing by his resident by throwing stone at it residence and forcing to inter inside house to cause Violence just becos your party is in gov't and you have the power and the security of the land at your disposer. NDC is a known party with Hooligans that caused VIOLENCE and even Killed their opponent .John mahama should be ashamed of himself for arming his party support to cause violence to his opponents .
Fork you Rodrigo "Rody" Roa Duterte will get you
John Mahama and his NDC, Intimidation will NOT win you a vote. Ghanaians are ready to resist any violence and intimidation from POWER DRUNK JM AND HIS NDC .
You see injustice in Ghana. A party in opposition trying to demonstrate that they have power more than the ruling party. Why do I say this? How can such a party use force to restrain the sympathizers of the ruling party from using the public space in front of their presidential candidate but the same party is seeking to prevent the ruling party for advertising their posters on the presidential palace because that is a public space and they are bold enough to give 2 days ultimatum if the ruling party does not remove their posters from the palace they, in opposition would go and paste their adverts on the presidential palace. No wonder one of their own described them as lacking efie nyansah (home wisdom). War is brewing in Ghana and it is going to be started by the opposition party members who think they are brave. Peace is what Ghanaians want but if they chose the path of war, they will have it. It is on this basis that I commend the US and the British governments for coming out this fast. BUT they should walk the talk if it becomes necessary and they should speak the truth to the opposition when they overstretch they freedoms. Others also have the same freedoms.
If Power Drunk John Mahama and his NDC hooligans think they are in gov't and for that matter they can abused their opponent with violent then they have sometime coming . NDC VIOLENCE PARTY
The only idi0t here is you and your Violent John mahama and his NDC party.
EC HAS AGENDA TO RIG FOR NDC. NDC KNOWS HOW TO USE TAX PAYERS MONEY TO INFLUENCE THE MINDS OF JOURNALISTS, EC OFFICIALS AND POLLING AGENTS TO RIG THE ELECTION. IF THE OFFICIALS OF EC ARE FAIR, THIS ANOMALY COULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED BEFORE PRINTING. IT IS DELIBERATE ATTEMPT BY EC TO HIDE NPP FROM THE LOGO. NPP SHOULD WATCH CAREFULLY THE PRINTING OF BALLOT PAPERS, THE PRINTING OF PINK SHEETS TO PREVENT EC FROM PRINTING DOUBLE BALLOT PAPERS AND DOUBLE PINK SHEETS. EC OFFICIALS CONSCIENCES HAVE BEEN BOUGHT BY NDC
i think the Embassy staff are unaware of what is happening in America today. Normally a wealthy country with some tension across economic lines, now such seems to be spilling over especially with the victory of Donald trump. people have been attacked and some even died. nobody condemns anything that happens in America. they shoot blacks on their streets for racial reasons and the with no consequence. America is in no position to dictate to this country. shove your visas
WHAT IS THIS US GUY TALKING ABOUT, WHERE WAS HE WHEN VIOLENT HAPPEN IN US ABOUT TRUMP WON THE ELECTION LAST WEEK.PLEASE GIVE US BREAK. DIE WO FIE ASEM.GHANA IS MORE PEACEFUL THAN HIS HOME COUNTRY AMERICAN.