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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has defended a decision by the Oguaa Traditional Council to lift a ban on noise making ahead of the party’s campaign launch in the Central Region.

Over 40,000 members of the NDC are expected in Cape Coast for the launch of the party’s 2016 election campaign on Sunday. However, a ban on noise making in the area is expected to be lifted on Friday to pave way for the NDC event which will be held at the Cape Coast stadium.

The Effutu Parliamentary Candiate of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Nana Ofori Owusu raised concerns with the lifting of the ban asking for an immediate reversal.

“The Traditional Authorities in my opinion have erred in amending directives to its citizens to make room for a political activity. I think that it is sad for the Chiefs of Oguaa to take this decision. It should be reversed immediately,” he added.

But speaking to Citi News the NDC’s Regional Secretary, Sampson Ahianyo said the party cannot be blamed for the decision. 

“We are living with traditionalists and our gods don’t behave like witches and wizards, they are very reasonable. If you are really an African, you will agree with me that sometimes if there is something that is to be done in a particular area and the time is not right, you can go and pacify the gods, you consult the fetish priests to pray and ask for pacification, the gods will allow you to whatever you want.”

“The NDC did not do that, it is in the wisdom of the chiefs, the Okomfos and Asafo companies in Cape Coast who through their own wisdom had to consult, we proposed and they consulted, and the gods agreed. The NDC does not dictate to the chiefs of Cape Coast,” he added.

Mr. Ahianyo further insisted that the NDC “didn’t play any role” in pacifying the gods. “…We requested and they went and consulted the gods, and the gods have agreed. So it is up to the chiefs, we are not traditionalists. We only asked for permission and it has been granted, period.”

Hosting campaign launch in C/R in our interest

Director of Communications for the NDC’s 2016 Campaign, Joyce Bawa Mogtari, said earlier that it was in the interest of the party to organize the event in the Central Region.

“There is some nostalgia, there is some love for the Central Region, there is a good reason why we believe that this time, it is in our interest to launch in the Central Region and that is exactly what we intend to do,” she said on Eyewitness News on Monday.