Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the national chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has strongly warned that intimidation against the party’s supporters in Kyebi and the larger Abuakwa South seat will no longer be tolerated.
Speaking to voters on Monday, September 2, in Akyem Adukrom, as a part of his “retail campaign tour” of the Eastern Region.
Asiedu Nketia emphasized the numerous attacks and intimidations the NDC has experienced before, during, and after local elections in earlier surveys. He described these acts as anti-democratic and at odds with the legacy of J.B. Danquah, a pivotal figure in Ghana’s multi-party democracy.
“The NDC has suffered many attacks and intimidation Abuakwa South. These actions are undemocratic and fly in the face of the legacy of J.B. Danquah, who is acclaimed as the doyen of multi-party democracy in Ghana,” Asiedu Nketia stated.
The attacks on party agents during elections and the 1996 burning of the NDC constituency office in Kyebi were among the particular examples he mentioned.
In J.B. Danquah’s hometown, Asiedu Nketia questioned the community’s adherence to democratic ideals, implying that the multi-party democracy Danquah supported was not being preserved.
“What legacy are you leaving for J.B. Danquah as the doyen of Ghana’s democracy? It means he wasted his time because the multi-party democracy he championed is not working in his own hometown. You don’t follow his principles but build a library in his honour,” he remarked.
Asiedu Nketia vowed that the NDC would no longer accept intimidation in the constituency. “So, I am here in Abuakwa South to demonstrate that there is nowhere in Ghana that is a no-go area for the NDC. It will never happen. As the NPP goes to my hometown to campaign, I have also come here to campaign,” he asserted.
He said that the NDC will take all required action to safeguard their interests “We came in peace, but nobody should think they can intimidate us this time around. Whatever is required of us to protect the ballot box and our office, we will do it,” Asiedu Nketia warned.
By pointing out that both the NDC and the Convention People’s Party (CPP) have previously won the seat, the NDC Chairman refuted the idea that Abuakwa South is a bastion of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He was hopeful that if the people put development first, the NDC will win the seat in the next elections.
“The Abuakwa South constituency is not an NPP stronghold. The NDC and the CPP have both won this seat before. I am optimistic that we will win the seat this year if the people decide to vote for development,” he added.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com