The violent clashes between supporters of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) are creating a bad image for the country, Chairman of the National Peace Council (NPC), Most Reverend Professor Emmanuel Asante has said.
Rev Asante, who feels disappointed with the two parties about their recent scuffles has cautioned the public to beware of the consequences of an escalation of the scuffles and entreated the public to desist from any form of political violence.
According to him, “the tension in the atmosphere created by the clashes does not speak well of the country and is tainting Ghana’s reputation”.
He was reacting to the latest incident which left five people injured on Sunday, November 21, as supporters of both parties went on separate but simultaneous health walks as part of campaign activities in the lead-up to the 7 December polls.
An intervention by the police forestalled mayhem but cars were vandalised in the clash, which happened exactly a week after a similar clash in front of the Nima residence of NPP flag bearer Nana Akufo-Addo.
Rev Asante who condemned the violence of the supporters underscored the need for political parties to be circumspect in their campaign as the election approaches.
He urged the leadership of the various political parties to speak against clashes and conflict involving their supporters and avoid provocation in their campaigns.
For him democracy is not about violence.
“The clashes show the level of intolerance, which is not a sign of democracy. Democracy is a contest of ideas and not physical, where violence is allowed to have a place,” he told Graphic Online in an interview shortly after the incident on Sunday.
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