The two major political parties in the country, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) seem to be playing a blame game with respect to the President’s directive for a meeting to disband vigilante groups.
President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo hinted a ‘voluntary disbandment’ deliberation on vigilante groups between the two major political parties, NPP and NDC while addressing the general public at the State of the Nation Address in Parliament in February.
Akufo Addo noted that if the voluntary disbandment by the parties appear not feasible, he will initiate legislation on the matter.
“If voluntary disbandment by the parties is not feasible, then I will initiate legislation on the matter. Vigorous debate and the exchange of ideas should be the true basis of political dialogue and competition in our country, not the activities of party vigilante groups. Our children and grandchildren will not forgive us if we were to compromise our peace and stability. I will not permit that to occur under my watch”, the president said.
The Communications Director for the NDC, Kakrah Essamuah, who spoke to Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive Thursday accused the NPP of failing to present a letter to the NDC for the meeting.
He added that the NDC took the first step to present a letter to the NPP which the latter is yet to respond.
“In the President’s speech, he asked the NPP to write to us and invite us for the meeting the next week, it’s been more than two weeks and the letter is yet to reach the office of the NDC,” he said.
In response, Deputy General Secretary for the NPP, Nana Obiri Boahen refuted claims that the NPP has refused to facilitate the meeting on disbanding vigilante groups in Ghana.
Nana Obiri Boahen stated that the NPP has shown commitment towards this meeting than the NDC.
“We called the National Chairman for the NDC, Ofosu Ampofo continuously for three days and he promised to get back to me which he never did, until they wrote back to the President informing him of our refusal to initiate the ’vigilantism disbandment’ meeting” he added.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa