Flagbearer aspirant of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Goosie Tanoh has encouraged his supporters across the length and breadth of the country to stand up and resist any attempt by surrogates in the party to intimidate and stop them from campaigning for their preferred choice of candidate, Goosie Tanoh.
According to Mr Tanoh, he has had widespread reports from tens of thousands of his supporters across the country that some stalwarts in the party have resorted to moves to instil fear in team Goosie supporters to stop them from openly declaring support and campaign for him.
He said the tactics being deployed by these stalwarts in the party is an attempt to fix the upcoming presidential primaries in favour of a particular aspirant.
Speaking at separate meetings with delegates at Shama, Kwesimintin, Tikobo 1 in Jomoro, Aiyinasi in Ellembelle, Mpohor, Wassa Amenfi East, all in Western Region, Goosie Tanoh noted cases of intimidation and constant attack on his supporters.
Mr Tanoh is of the view that the issue if not addressed will not only affect the electoral process but also has the tendency to undermine free, fair and credible primaries election scheduled for January 26th 2019.
He described it as unhealthy for a party that prides itself as a democratic party rooted in the principles and ideology of probity, accountability and social justice.
“Most of our supporters in the Central Region and other parts of the country have either been “threatened or attacked” by top party officials simply because they support #teamGoosie, this is unfair and undemocratic” Joe Onyame, director of operations of Goosie 2020 campaign team alleged.
“Do not fear, there is no need to fear, whoever is instilling fear in you is not responsible for your upkeep, such people do not feed your family, you joined NDC voluntarily, do not allow few selfish people to intimidate you."
"Vote for your preferred candidate, if I am your choice, please vote for me,” Goosie Tanoh told delegates at Aowin, Suaman and Akontombra constituencies.
He called for a level playing field in the electioneering process and assured that #teamGoosie was committed to peaceful elections, despite widespread intimidation against his supporters.
Some supporters of Goosie Tanoh cited as an example the Central Region Chairman who they indicate called Constituency Executives into a meeting to threaten them of dire consequences if they vote for Goosie Tanoh and not his preferred candidate.
In November this year, supporters of former president John Dramani Mahama who is also an aspirant in the contest and Goosie Tanoh supporters reportedly clashed at Ashaiman in Accra over campaign posters.
According to a media report, the Ashaiman constituency Chairman, Tony Afenyo, a staunch supporter of Goosie Tanoh allegedly engaged the party’s constituency Operations officer Carlos Usman an admirer of Mr Mahama in a fight over a misunderstanding of circulation of posters of the two aspirants within the Ashaiman community.
Goosie2020 campaign trail spearheaded by NDC progressive pressure organising for Ghana is currently touring the Western Region canvassing for votes to get Goosie Tanoh to win the flagbearership contest.