GPCC condemns attack on Akufo-Addo’s home

The Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) has condemned the attack on the Nima residence of the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party Nana Akufo –Addo by some supporters of the ruling NDC on Sunday as well as recent clashes between NPP and NDC supporters in Odododioodioo constituency in Accra.

“We unreservedly condemn the attack on the residence of the NPP Presidential candidate at Nima, and the violence at the Odododioodioo Constituency where in both cases; there were alleged use of firearms.

This comes barely three days ago when some supporters of the NDC who were embarking on a “Health Walk” upon reaching the residence of Nana Akufo Addo, unprovoked, started throwing stones and bottles at the house.

The action by the NDC group was met with fierce resistance as bodyguards of the three-time Presidential candidate sensing dander responded with warning shots, dispersing the NDC crowd in the process.

In a statement issued by the General Secretary of GPCC, Apostle Yaw Antwi, he expressed worry over the pockets of violent clashes between the supporters of the NDC and NPP ahead of the December 7 polls.

He warned that the situation could get worse if the Police Service does not take immediate and decisive steps, to prevent any potential escalation of such violence in other parts of the country.

Apostle Yaw Antwi called on the Inspector General of Police and his able men and women to be decisive and impartial in all their dealings with all the political parties to instill confidence among Ghanaians and to allay the fears and perceptions of bias against the Police Service by a section of the population.

Below is the full statement

TEMENT BY THE GHANA PENTECOSTAL AND CHARISMATIC COUNCIL (GPCC) VIOLENCE BETWEEN NDC AND NPP SUPPORTERS

It is with grave concern that the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) wishes to call the attention of the Ghana Police Service to the increasing violence in recent days mainly between supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In particular, we unreservedly condemn the attack on the residence of the NPP Presidential candidate at Nima, and the violence at the Odododiodio Constituency where in both cases; there were alleged use of firearms. We are really worried that things could get out of hand if the Police Service does not take immediate and decisive steps to prevent any potential escalation of such violence in other parts of the country ahead of the elections.

It is the view of the Council that a preventive approach to these emerging forms of violence ahead of the elections is the best way to dealing with these potentially threatening security breaches. It is the opinion of the Council that the National Elections Security Task Force should with immediate effect convene a meeting of the leadership of all participating political parties in this year’s elections to dialogue and commit them to abide by the rules.

While the Council would be the last to propose any solution that may appear to suggest a curtailment of individuals’ and political parties rights and freedoms to lawful assembly and political participation, the recent “Health Walk” enthusiasm need stringent regulations within the confines of the law by the Police Service in order to prevent opposing parties organizing processions that have the potential to provoke their opponents.

We also call on the Inspector General of Police and his able men and women to be decisive and impartial in all their dealings with all political parties to instill confidence among Ghanaians and to allay the fears and perceptions of bias against the Police Service by a section of the population.

It is also the belief of the Council that maintaining peace and security is a shared responsibility by all, so in this regard, we call on the leadership of the political parties, particularly, His Excellency the President, John Dramani Mahama and Hon. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo as a matter of urgency, to show true leadership by not only openly condemning the actions of their supporters but call them to order.

While it is unacceptable for any individual or group to prevent the Police from carrying out its lawful duties, including accessing crime scenes to carry out their investigations, it is equally worrying for ultimatums and threats to be issued to the Police to do the biddings of any political party.

The GPCC is by this statement calling on all Ghanaians once again to remember that we have only one Ghana to live in with nowhere else to go in the event of any escalated violence, though it is an open secret that the politicians we are willing to die for have their passports and that of their families ready to fly out of this country should violence erupt.

Let’s be prudent and act responsibly to maintain the peace and security of Ghana for the future of our children and generations yet unborn.

Story By: Michael Creg Afful

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