President Akufo-Addo has appealed to leaders of the two major political parties in Ghana to come together to put an end to politically-related violence.
Referring to the recent political unrest that hit the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, President Akufo-Addo said “…The time has come to put an end to the phenomenon of politically-related violence…”
Delivering the State of Nation Address in Parliament, President Akufo-Addo said, ”…I want to use the platform of this message to make a sincere, passionate appeal to the leaders of the two main political parties in our country; NPP and NDC, to come together as soon as possible, preferably next week, to agree on worrying and unacceptable phenomenon of vigilantism in our body politic.”
President Akufo-Addo called on the leaders of both parties — the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to find a lasting solution to the issue of political vigilantism. ”I have asked the leadership of the NPP to extend an invitation to the leadership of the NDC for such a meeting on vigilantism” President Akufo-Addo said.
He announced that the security services will be on standby to assist this meeting.
The President cautioned that if voluntary disbandment by the parties was not feasible, then he will initiate legislation on the matter.
Vigorous debate and the exchange of ideas should be the true basis of political dialogue and competition in our country, not the activities of party vigilante groups, the President said.
By: Adu Boahen Mabel.
