Former Education Minister and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, has strongly condemned the violence that disrupted the just-ended election rerun in the Ablekuma North Constituency, describing the incidents as a threat to Ghana’s democratic values.
In a statement issued, Dr. Adutwum expressed deep concern over the brutal assault on former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson, and a journalist from the EIB Network, during the election process.
“This recurring cycle of electoral violence must come to an end and be consigned to the dark days of our past,” Dr. Adutwum stated. “As a country committed to democratic governance, we must prioritize the peace and stability of our nation above all other partisan and self-interests.”
He warned that the acts of political intolerance and aggression risk undermining the collective efforts made over the years to build a strong and united Ghana. While acknowledging the electoral victory of President Mahama as a testament to the people’s democratic choice, Dr. Adutwum urged political actors not to use violence to settle past political scores.
“Our deepened contemporary political credentials as a nation should teach us to come to terms with the fact that it is high time we kept our past political differences at bay and adopted values that will unite us as a people,” he said.
Dr. Adutwum called on the Minister for the Interior to initiate a thorough investigation into the incidents, emphasizing the importance of holding perpetrators accountable to restore public confidence and deter future acts of violence.
“Political competition must never come at the expense of human dignity and life,” he stressed, urging citizens to put Ghana first in their political engagements.
He called for unity and peace, urging all Ghanaians to safeguard the democratic values that form the foundation of the Republic.
The Electoral Commission (EC) conducted the rerun in 19 polling stations following inconclusive results in the December 2024 general elections. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) had initially contested the need for the rerun but ended up participating following a court dismissal of their injunction attempt. The rerun was held to restore parliamentary representation to the constituency.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn has officially been declared as the winner of the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun by Electoral Commission (EC).
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
