NDC will avoid violence – President Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama on Friday announced that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) would not do anything that could mar the orderly and smooth political campaign for the 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary elections
“NDC shall not be responsible for and associated with any violence or disruption in the campaigns leading to the 2016 general election,” he added.
President Mahama who was addressing members of the party during the 24th anniversary of the formation of the party in Accra said:”We shall play according to the rules of the game and come out victoriously, come November 7 this year.”
The programme, which was attended by former President Jerry John Rawlings, Former Ministers of state, Members of Parliament and party leadership was also used to reward 53 members for hard work and commitment to the activities of the party.
Mr Lawrence Kofi Adika and W.O Jacob Bonney past workers of the party’s headquarters were also honoured posthumously for their valour and dedication to the activities of the party.
The 53 others honoured persons were made up of the party’s leadership from the 10 regions, drivers and security personnel at the party headquarters in Accra.
President Mahama said the NDC had over the years won elections without resorting to the use of any form of violence or disruptions and would continue to chart its campaign path with peace and unity as the cardinal campaign message.
The President gave the assurance that the campaign messages would be evidence-based and would therefore not engage in unwarranted attacks on any of their political opponents.
“Insulting with political rhetoric shall not form part of our campaign messages in the 2016, because we have come far and cannot afford to descend into such unacceptable activities.”
On the current electricity tariffs and floods in the country, President Mahama gave the assurance that the report of the committee formed to review would be out in July and expressed the hope that it would be accepted by all Ghanaians when implemented next month.
He said the new billing system, which would be implemented next month is necessitated by the hue and cry of Ghanaians on the new tariffs, adding that as part of listening to the plight of Ghanaians, a committee was formed to review it to acceptable levels.
President Mahama said although government had tackled issues on sanitation geared towards the future elimination of floods, his administration would continue to put in measures that would make the perennial floods a thing of the past.
He appealed to Ghanaians to play their roles responsibly by desisting from throwing garbage into open gutters which had become a major cause for the floods in the country.
President Mahama hinted that the NDC manifesto would soon be launched to kick-start the electioneering adding that his second term of office would be dedicated to investment and job creation for all Ghanaians.
He commended Former President Rawlings and all other founding fathers for building a solid foundation of the party on which he would continue with transparency and accountable governance.
On development projects, President Mahama said changing lives and transformation would continue to serve as the pillars of his development agenda and called on party supporters to remain resolute and purposeful to bring the party back to power.
Mr Kofi Porturphy, Chairman of the Party called on the supporters to show their respect to Ghanaians by avoiding any acts of violence and disturbances that could bring about confusion.
He gave the assurance that the party would soon roll out some of their programmes to enable them to kick-start the 2016 campaigns.
Mr Portuphy commended the founding fathers whose commitment and dedication had brought the party to its current state.
Source: GNA