NPP calls on supporters to remain calm

Category: Politics Created on Tuesday, 17 April 2012 18:34 Published Date Written by All Ghana News Hits: 302

Accra, April 17, GNA – Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, National Chairman of New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday called on its teaming supporters to remain calm in the aftermath of the arrest of Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyepong, Member of Parliament for Assin North.

     “The NPP makes it absolutely clear that we do not support intemperate statements and actions that can incite and inflame ethnic passions. Ghana is a proud multi-ethnic country and the NPP, a truly national party, is committed to jealously guard and promote this heritage.

    “The party is fully behind the Ghana Police Service in the execution of its mandate, but expect them to do this in a fair, even-handed and professional manner, stressing the need for the Police to be professional and act without fear or favour,” he stated.

     This was contained in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, on the arrest of Mr Agyepong for an intemperate public statement made last Friday in reaction to the unfortunate incidents in the Odododiodio Constituency in the Greater Accra Region.

     The NPP National Chairman however, noted that, the current posture of the police to take no action to protect ordinary Ghanaians, in the face of such acts of violence, intimidation and exclusion, particularly in Odododiodio, posed a serious threat to the maintenance of peace and security nationwide.

      He said the arrest of the MP for Assin North was further evidence of the selective application of the law.

     Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey accused the Police of not taking action against the perpetrators of violence but suddenly discovered their powers to take action against those, who in frustration, make statements in reaction to acts of violence and Police inaction, sent worrying signals about the forthcoming general elections.

     He said Ghanaians had witnessed with dismay in the last few weeks divisive statements by political leaders and violent acts, all because of the biometric voter registration exercise.

   “The NPP has been most disturbed by these acts of violence and intimidation, inflammatory statements and other illegal acts that have been associated with the ongoing exercise.

     “We have been disturbed by the selective, partisan manner in which the law is being enforced in dealing with the situation. It is for this reason that we issued an open letter to President John Evans Atta Mills recently.

    “We also applaud our party loyalists who have been defending these values and the integrity of the registration exercise, in spite of the intimidation, violence, ethnic challenges they have faced.

     "We encourage them to stay focused and be vigilant in monitoring the ongoing registration exercise. They should have courage and stay on the right side of the law”.

      Mr Obetsebi-Lamptey appealed to President Mills to be at the forefront in ensuring law and order.