Ndoum urges Akufo-Addo, Mills to help end violence in North

The presidential aspirant of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, has called on the presidential aspirants of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Professor J.E.A. Mills and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo respectively, to personally go to the troubled areas in northern Ghana and talk to their supporters to let them know that elections are not about violence and loss of lives.
Dr Nduom was speaking to the Daily Graphic on his return from the Northern Region and expressed fear that the rate at which arms were being stockpiled by civilians in the troubled spots could mar the December elections.
He said “if somebody thinks that Ghana cannot be like Cote d’Ivoire or Kenya we should think again. The young men in the north are being armed in their hundreds and are looking for the opportunity to misbehave like they did in Tamale and Gushiegu”.
Dr Nduom said it was unacceptable for presidential aspirants to campaign and preach peace in areas where there was peace while their supporters engaged in fierce gun battles culminating in loss of lives and property in other parts of the country.
He said they must go to such hot spots with their peace messages rather than to campaign as if nothing had happened, because they could not be president over a chaotic country.
Dr Nduom, who also donated relief items and interacted with the people while in the Northern Region, said he was terrified by the extent of damage to lives and property.
He said the devastating loss of lives and property because of the clash between supporters of the two political parties should send a strong signal to the authorities to redouble their efforts at maintaining peace.
He suggested that more well-equipped military and police personnel must be and deployed throughout the country, especially in troubled spots to prevent chaotic situations before the election day.
“I have told the CPP members that our party would not tolerate any member who indulges in violent acts and I also call on the two aspirants to also caution their supporters not to indulge in violent acts”, he added.
Dr Nduom said CPP members have been told that Ghana was more important than any other person or political party before during and after the December polls and that anyone who misbehaved would face the consequences.
He also appealed to the media to be circumspect about their reportage, especially pronouncements by political leaders concerning troubled spots in the county.
Dr Nduom said if political leaders who must calm tempers of their supporters resort to blame game that inflame passions and tend to escalate the situation, the media must be professional enough not to echo such pronouncements for the sake of peace.