“The president is going all over the world talking about Ghana, talking about peace and talking about democracy. And in his cabinet, around the cabinet table at which he is presiding, are people who instigate violence – purveyors of violence, sitting around his cabinet table. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t have the strength of character to reprimand them, and tell them to stop what they are doing. He is simply looking on unconcerned. Does this mean he endorses this kind of conduct?”
These were the words of the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, whilst campaigning at Hwidiem in the Asutifi South Constituency of the Brong-Ahafo Region, yesterday.
Nana Akufo-Addo made these comments following consistent attacks against NPP members at Asutifi South, being allegedly perpetrated by Collins Dauda, Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency who doubles as Minister for Local Government and Rural Development. And also a few days ago, some supporters of the NPP, including the party’s parliamentary candidate for Odododiodioo, were reportedly assaulted by supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by the MP for the constituency and Minister for Youth and Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuye.
Nana Akufo-Addo noted that the kind of leadership being displayed by President Mahama is not the kind needed to move Ghana forward and return her on the path of progress and prosperity.
“No one should see himself or herself above the law. We don’t want any trouble in Ghana. Those who think that violence, through the use of guns and machetes, is the only path to which they can succeed should have a good rethink, because it will not succeed,” he charged.
With the residents of Hwidiem and the surrounding towns living in fear as a result of atrocities and acts of intimidation being allegedly meted out to them by Collins Dauda, the NPP flag bearer condemned these acts, explaining that they have no place in a democracy.
Nana Akufo-Addo wondered what kind of man would resort to the use of violence against a woman in a contest.
“You (Collins Dauda) are contesting a woman, and you’re having to employ guns, harmful weapons and the use of ‘macho men’ in order to win? It is a shame and a disgrace. What kind of a man are you then? You are employing all of these shameful tactics, not against a fellow man, but against a woman. This is a disgrace. When such things happen, it means you have already lost,” he articulated.
Nana Akufo-Addo was confident that regardless of these “shameful” tactics being employed by Collins Dauda, residents of Hwidiem and Asutifi South would vote out the NDC, in both presidential and parliamentary elections.
The NPP flag bearer noted, “The people of Asutifi South will not allow themselves to be cowed by violence, nor will they allow violent people to superintend over them. No one can be kept away from voting. Everybody is going to have the chance to cast their vote in this election.”
Nana urged the electorate not to be complacent in the belief that the NPP had already won the election.
“We don’t want that. Until the ballots are cast and counted, we should not be complacent. If you want change, you have to go and vote for the change,” he concluded.
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