The United Kingdom has condemned the clashes between supporters of the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party that occurred at the Nima residence of NPP flagbearer Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“We condemn all violent acts by the supporters of any political party, including any occurring as a result of holding electoral campaign events close to the private homes of rival candidates,” the British High Commission said in a statement.
The statement comes after some supporters of the NDC on a health walk allegedly threw stones into Akufo-Addo’s house leading to gun shots from the flagbearer’s security detail to ward off the NDC supporters.
The British government added in the statement that “the UK is a great supporter of Ghana’s democracy and of maintaining its electoral record. We admire the open and energetic nature of its campaigns. We believe that violence has absolutely no place in the electoral process.”
“We, therefore, call on all Ghana’s political actors to promote peace, and to respect Ghana’s electoral and constitutional processes. All political parties should strongly urge their supporters to refrain from, and indeed actively condemn any violence, incitement or intimidation which only serves to undermine democracy.”
The British government added that it would continue to work with Ghanaian institutions, including the Electoral Commission, Police, Judiciary, National Peace Council, civil society groups and the media to support Ghana’s efforts to hold credible, peaceful and fair elections while remaining entirely neutral.
The statement from the UK High Commission comes after the United States of America also condemned the clashes that occurred Sunday morning.
“The US is deeply disappointed by the targeting of the home and family of the primary opposition presidential candidate…we condemn all violence in Ghana including political violence in the period leading to, during, and immediately following Ghana’s elections scheduled for 7 December. Ghanaians from across the political spectrum have worked hard to build one of the leading democracies in Africa. We call on all Ghanaians to remain peaceful and respect the democratic process.
“We specifically call on candidates, their parties and their supporters to reaffirm their pledges to renounce violence and settle any disputes through the judicial process,” Department of State Press Director Elizabeth Trudeau said at the Daily Press Briefing on Monday, November 14, 2016.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
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