NPP Condemns Attack Of Ursula Owusu

Professor Mike Oquaye, the Second Speaker of Parliament, has condemned the rising spate of violence in Ghanaian politics, saying it is sinking the image of the country. Prof Oquaye asked the Ghana Police Service to intervene with dispatch to stop such barbaric acts. He was addressing a press conference in Accra on Thursday, in reaction to the assault of Ms Ursula Owusu, New Patriotic Party�s (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Ablekuma South and Mr Abu Jinapor, Special Aide to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Flagbearer of the NPP by macho men at Odododiodioo in Accra on Wednesday. Three other people including one Mohammed Mumuni, Samuel Nortey and Ibrahim Mohammed were seriously injured in similar attacks. Prof Oquaye said the attack on Ms Ursula was unfortunate because out of the 230 members of parliament only 19 are women, hence the need for the country to support women bidding to enter the House. He listed a number of attacks allegedly perpetuated by thugs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against sympathisers of the NPP. He said the Ms Owusu was only carrying out her civic rights by educating market women and hawkers to patronise the biometric registration exercise when she was attacked. Prof Oquaye claimed that as Ms Owusu tried to run towards the Police at the polling centre, the personnel closed the gates and left her to her fate. He accused Nii Lamptey Vanderpuye, Special Assistant to the President who is contesting the Odododiodoo parliamentary seat for the NDC as the brain behind the assaults. Nii Vanderpuye has however denied the accusation in the media. Prof Oquaye said the Special Assistant �is representing his own interest and not the interest of Ga people�. He said any attempt to disenfranchise people who are ordinary residents in the constituency should not stand. He said Gas love to live with all ethnic groups. He appealed to the Inspector General of Police to protect all Ghanaians and to let them go about their business peacefully. Prof Oquaye said every Ghanaian has the freedom to monitor the registration exercise anywhere in Ghana.