{"id":596703,"date":"2019-03-06T14:05:12","date_gmt":"2019-03-06T14:05:12","guid":{"rendered":"

President Akufo-Addo says Ghanaian elections should be rid off all forms of violence <\/p>

\n\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n\n<\/div>\n

President Nana Akufo-Addo has continued his tough-talking campaign to rid Ghana of politically related violence.<\/span><\/p>\n

The President in his speech on the 62nd Independence anniversary appealed to the two main political parties, New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress,\u00a0to pursue decorum in their discourse.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

He noted that competitive politics would always thrive on debates and heated arguments, \u201csometimes with raised voices.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Akufo-Addo said the \u201cleaders of the political parties, however, have a great responsibility to set the tone for political discourse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Ghana
Cross section of attendants at the ceremony\u00a0in Tamale\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026in the midst of those raised voices, there must be mutual respect,\u201d he told the gathering at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium in Tamale, Wednesday, March 6.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elections must be violent free<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking on electoral related violence, Akufo-Addo loathed the culture of young men being deployed to intimidate the opposing party.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cThere should be no room for violence in this process [elections],\u201d he said adding that \u201csuccess should not be measured by how many young people can be marshalled to disrupt elections or how many broken bones we can count.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ghana<\/p>\n

The President also noted that he is hopeful the \u201cimpending dialogue\u201d between the two main political parties the NPP and the NDC on ending electoral related violence will succeed.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Meet next week over party militia – Akufo-Addo rallies NPP, NDC leaders <\/b><\/p>\n

He reiterated comments he made in his State of the Address last month that he would spare no effort in ensuring the culture of violence in elections ends; including imitating legislation into the matter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ghana<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

NPP and NDC dialogue<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

On Tuesday, the President responded to a letter the National Chairman of the opposition NDC wrote him<\/b> concerning the dialogue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Akufo-Addo in his response dismissed most concerns the NDC Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo raised, causing some analysts to question his commitments to ending the menace.<\/span><\/p>\n

The President, for instance, noted that he sees no reason why other political parties should be invited to the said deliberations.<\/span><\/p>\n

He also dismissed calls for civil society organisations and the media to be invited; arguing that such groups do not engage in electoral violence.<\/span><\/p>\n

NDC\u2019s response<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

The Deputy Communications Officer of the NDC in an interview with Joy FM expressed disappointment in Akufo-Addo\u2019s response to their Chairman. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n