PPP Says Never Again

Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has called on Ghanaians not to repeat the action Electoral of Commission of Ghana took last year that disqualified their presidential candidate from contesting the 2016 presidential election.

Such decision, according to the PPP, has the tendency to break or unmake the nation.

It would be recalled that on October 10, 2016 the Electoral Commission of Ghana threw the law aside and proceeded and disqualified the PPP Presidential candidate, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, from the 2016 presidential race.

That action, the party believes, was to punish them for protesting the 100% increment in filing fees of the parliamentary candidate and 50% increment in that of the Presidential race.

A statement signed and issued yesterday by the National Secretary of the PPP, Murtala Mohammed, to mark the first anniversary of that incident said, “the audi alteram partem rule which requires that no person should be judged without a fair hearing was on October 10, 2016 over looked by the Electoral Commission of Ghana.”

The statement noted that it was important in a democracy to be heard before judgment and the line between personal feeling and the law was a thin one.

“We must not confuse dissent or criticism with dislike or hatred. We must remember always that an accusation is no proof in itself and passing judgment should be based on due process. Any dubious process other than the processes of law cannot be regarded as transparent.

“The penchant by public officials in Ghana to abuse power in executing their mandate must be a thing of the past. The events leading to October 10th and its aftermath should be a wake-up call to all government officials to work within the law and not to antagonise any citizen based on tribe, party, religion or any prejudice. We are all subservient to the laws of our land and all must endeavor to adhere to the Constitution at all times,” the statement stated.

According to the PPP, Ghana has resolved to accept democracy as a system of governance and therefore, must be determined to tolerate each other’s opinions, however, distasteful they may be.

“These ideals are collective and no group of individuals can trample on them for personal or parochial interest. The Electoral Commission of Ghana cannot cow political parties into submission based on simple criticism. We will not walk in fear of the Electoral Commission into an age of unreasonability. Ghanaians did not descend from fearful men and women who fear to associate, speak or act.”

PPP SYMPATHIZES WITH VICTIMS OF ATOMIC JUNCTION DISASTER

The Progressive People’s Party is distressed by the loss of innocent lives as a result of the Madina Atomic junction gas explosion.

We express our deep sadness and convey our profound sympathies to all who have been affected by this horrible tragedy and especially to the families and friends of those who have died or were injured.

We ask all Ghanaians to keep the families of the injured in their thoughts and prayers. We share their mourning and sorrow and send them our love and support during this tragic time.

For those injured, we pray and wish for a full and speedy recovery.

We commend the generous efforts of the security services, for responding with such professionalism and care.

As a precaution, we call on the National Petroleum Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana Standards Authority, Ghana National Fire Service, Town and Country Planning Department, the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to act with a sense of urgency in working to ensure that gas establishments are located 100meters radius away from residential and other business areas.