Mahama unqualified to speak against electoral violence – Govt

The ruling New Patriotic Party(NPP) government says the opposition NDC Flagbearer and ex-President John Mahama has no moral authority to speak against politically-related violence.

Mr. Mahama has urged President Akufo-Addo to resist the temptation to use violence and intimidation in the impending December elections.

In a new year message to Ghanaians, he said: “As we go to the polls in 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo has a responsibility to secure the safety of all citizens and must resist the temptation to allow the use of violence to harm and intimidate innocent civilians as we observed last year during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.”

But reacting to the former President’s comment in an interview with host Kwaku Owusu Adjei on Anopa Kasapa on Kasapa FM Wednesday, the Deputy Minister of Information Pius Enam Hadzide stated that Mr Mahama cannot speak on such an issue as several violent incidents occurred during by-election under the NDC regime which went on unpunished.

“You the Flagbearer of the opposition NDC party mounts a political platform in Ho in the Volta Region and tells a gathering of party faithful that when it comes to violence in Ghanaian politics the NDC has no competitor and that in 2020 election the NDC will match its political opponents boot-for-boot. Such a comment does not bring peace. So if ex-President Mahama has any advice on avoiding political violence in the impending December general elections he should give it to himself and the NDC party.”

He added: We’ve all heard a secret recording which captures the National Chairman of the NDC Samuel Ofosu Ampofo plotting to cause mayhem in this country. As we speak the matter is in court and I’ll not comment further. We’ve also heard other bigshots of the NDC talking about how to make the country ungovernable. So how can such people talk about how to ensure peace and avoid violence in the upcoming elections.”

Mr Enam Hadzide assured that the governing NPP and the Akufo Addo administration will ensure that everything possible is done to ensure a peaceful election.