The much-anticipated peace dialogue between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), convened by the National Peace Council ahead of the Akwatia by-election, has been suspended after the NPP raised strong objections to the level of representation from the NDC.
National Organizer of the NPP, Henry Nana Boakye, addressing the media after the meeting was halted, described the development as disappointing and a show of bad faith on the part of the NDC.
He insisted that the NDC’s decision to delegate constituency executives for such an important dialogue was disrespectful and undermined the process.
“For us, we are very disappointed because we accorded this invitation with utmost respect. We came into this meeting fully represented by the Eastern Regional Chairman, Jeff Konadu-Addo, and the National Youth Organizer, Salam Mustapha, only to see that the NDC had sent constituency-level executives.
We are of the view that these representatives clearly cannot commit the NDC to any peace process regarding the Akwatia by-election,” Nana Boakye stressed.
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He further explained that the NPP expected the NDC to field national or at least regional executives, considering the high-level participation of the Ghana Police Service, the National Peace Council, and the Regional Peace Council in the meeting.
The NPP has therefore demanded that the NDC return with national executives fully capable of committing the party to the peace pact.
According to Nana Boakye, the suspension of the dialogue will not derail the NPP’s resolve to ensure peace during the by-election, but the party will only proceed with the dialogue when the NDC is properly represented.
The Peace Council, in response, has asked for some time to engage the NDC leadership to resolve the matter before reconvening the dialogue.
The Akwatia by-election is set to be closely contested, with both major parties under pressure to demonstrate commitment to peace and political maturity.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
