President John Mahama has said he is not a violent person and, thus, will not be the one to spark any violence in this year’s elections.
“By my nature, I’m not a person who encourages violence and I’ll never encourage violence. If any such thing will happen, it will not be because I have provoked it,” he told some leaders of labour unions who called on him at the Flagstaff House in Accra on Tuesday.
Mr Mahama was speaking in reference to Sunday’s clashes between supporters of the two main parties in front of the Nima residence of his arch political rival, Nana Akufo-Addo, which resulted in some warning shots being fired into the air.
“Only last Saturday, we almost had a clash, which was unfortunate. If any of those firearms had been fired and someone had dropped dead, it would have been a completely different story. I think we should be preventive enough in our actions to prevent such things,” he said, adding: “I think that the police at Nima should have been better briefed knowing that this group was passing through and then we should have taken appropriate safeguards to ensure that such a thing doesn’t happen.”
The clashes happened as supporters of the two parties converged on the vicinity of the NPP flag bearer’s Nima residence as they simultaneously held their Keep Fit activities.
Mr Akufo-Addo and the NPP claim the NDC supporters threw stones into his residence, a situation that sparked the firing of the warning shots by the three-time flag bearer’s security detail.
Speaking about the security situation in the country ahead of the elections, Mr Mahama said “we will avoid the flashpoints that create that kind of situation” and charged the country’s law enforcers to be proactive in preventing any violence or misconduct from party supporters in the build-up to the December 7 polls.
He also charged members of the public and various stakeholders to hold politicians in check. “When we (politicians) ratchet up the political rhetoric, you should feel free and confident to call us to order.
Meanwhile, the United States of America has condemned the attack on the residence of Nana Akufo-Addo.
“The US is deeply disappointed by the targeting of the home and family of the primary opposition presidential candidate,” Department of State Press Director Elizabeth Trudeau said at the Daily Press Briefing on Monday, November 14, 2016.
"We condemn all violence in Ghana including political violence in the period leading to, during, and immediately following Ghana’s elections scheduled for 7 December. Ghanaians from across the political spectrum have worked hard to build one of the leading democracies in Africa. We call on all Ghanaians to remain peaceful and respect the democratic process.
“We specifically call on candidates, their parties and their supporters to reaffirm their pledges to renounce violence and settle any disputes through the judicial process.” The US government said it will revoke or refuse visas of any politician that incites violence in connection with the polls.
Also, the British government has condemned the violence. “We condemn all violent acts by the supporters of any political party, including any occurring as a result of holding electoral campaign events close to the private homes of rival candidates,” the British High Commission said in a statement.
“The UK is a great supporter of Ghana’s democracy and of maintaining its electoral record. We admire the open and energetic nature of its campaigns. We believe that violence has absolutely no place in the electoral process,” the statement continued, adding: “We, therefore, call on all Ghana’s political actors to promote peace, and to respect Ghana’s electoral and constitutional processes. All political parties should strongly urge their supporters to refrain from, and indeed actively condemn any violence, incitement or intimidation which only serves to undermine democracy.”
The UK, like the US has also threatened to refuse or revoke the visas of anyone that engages in or incites political violence.
The UK noted that it would continue to work with Ghanaian institutions, including the Electoral Commission, Police, Judiciary, National Peace Council, civil society groups and the media to support Ghana’s efforts to hold credible, peaceful and fair elections while remaining entirely neutral.
Source: Classfmonline
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
LOOK AT HIS PEPENIII TANII FACE.AS IF HE HAS JUST FINISHED EATING TUOZAFFII.
You know how an 'on-seccum-sized pay-knees' shrinks back into the foreskin after seggs? That's mahama for you! US and U.K. have bared their teeth and he's gone into ostrich mode aks 'e no be me ooooo!' Too late, they know you already!
prez mahama, i have supported and backd you on peacefmonline more than other hypocrites here all this time, please, even though I am a guy, allow me to suckkk ur dickkkk, and kiss your anussss to show you that I am ready to disgrace myself and do anything for you!!!! NDC forever, Long live Mahama.
Please Mr. president, stop there!Who is more violent than you? You are the most violent politician ever to lead the NDC party. You speak as an angel but your actions say different thing. But Mr. president, remember that Ghanaians are more awake than before and no amount of lies and propaganda will stop the strong wind of change that is heading towards Ghana come December 7th. May Allah bless Nana Addo and mother Ghana. Ameen.
U claim u are not violent but u oversee people in your administration and ministers of state in your government who perpetrate violent acts and u dont speak against it then who are u?? It is said the elder who sit at home and watch children who bring python home to cook and eat when the count those children the elder is the chief corporate. Please stop this double standard and let us have our peace of mind.
Your president is violent. If not then I don't know what violence is,he was aware of what happened and he knew they were going there led by his dog Ako Gunn. Your president was supposed to be among them for the walk but he had in his brother's house and sent them to go,that's why the police were just a stone away but didn't act because orders came from above. Why didn't he comment till now? Why did he wait for the UK and America to comment with warning before commenting. Your president is a hypocrite,and his evil intentions will always be exposed. He was aware these montie3 idi*ts were on air insulting everyone including judges and chiefs,opinion leaders and the opposition leaders and never a minute did he come out to condemn but was swift to remit them when they were charged with contempt and sent to jail. That is the person you call president,somebody who could by a gun with 200 rounds and a motor bike is not violent but who? He killed Atta Mills violently and now where is the ndc accountant who had been there since Rawlings time? Who killed him? You people must bring evidence to show Nana is violent else keep quiet? Why are you so hateful like that? Ndc is not good for Ghana . You are an extremist organisation and must be disbanded before ndc metamorphosis to be the next Boko Haram. Even today azorka boys have attacked their former region al first chairman who is contesting the parliamentary seat as independence what kind of an*mals are you? Why do you hate peace? John mahama is a violent person he shouldn't pretend and shift his guilt. If he is peaceful why didn't He win the mother Teresa's peace award? but the one you evils have painted as violent has been judged the peace loving person by the International community. Let any chaos come and see between the 2 Nana Addo and John mahama who would be taking away. A hypocrite who call himself a president,a snake under grass John mahama. W'anim aguase, shame on you.
My friend, stop there.Dont talk what you dont know.The president is not violent and divisive as your flag bearer.Dont bring yourself.Noisy political party and support-res
It wasn't me. I didn't do it. All that is how children talk and behave, a president of a nation. Where are we?
That NDC politician in uniform called Kudalor is the cause of all this violence. instead of enforcing the law by dealing with party activist that incite and cause violence, has been looking on whiles NDC activist cause trouble over the place. His inaction has emboldened them to continue to perpetuate violence on the members of the opposition NPP. He is not doing that alone. Others including Cepahs Arthur are part of this whole grand scheme to intimidate the NPP. But what they should remember is that, no position is permanent.