Regional News of Wednesday, 20 October 2004

Source: GNA

C/R Police advise parties to avoid provocative acts

Cape Coast, Oct. 20, GNA - The Acting Central Regional Police Commander, Mr William Twumasi has appealed to political parties in the Region to avoid acts that would breach the peace during the electioneering campaign.

"Talk about issues and avoid attacking personalities. Actions that are capable of inflaming passions and degenerating into conflicts must be avoided", he said.

Mr Twumasi was addressing political parties' executives at a meeting organised by the Central Regional Police Command to discuss issues that would enhance peaceful elections.

In attendance were representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), New Patriotic Party (NPP), People's National Convention (PNC), Convention People's Party (CPP) and other Security Agencies.

"A political opponent is not an enemy. Political party followers must respect divergent political views since everybody will suffer in the event of conflicts."

Mr Twumasi said he was unhappy about the behaviour of some political party supporters during their weekend "keep fit" programmes. He said some got drunk and others used provocative language and songs to cast insinuations against their political opponents and advised party executives to educate their followers.

Mr Twumasi commended the executives of political parties in the Region for the cordial relationship that existed among them and urged them to build upon it.

Mr Allotey Jacobs, the Director of Operations of the NDC, said since most conflicts were between the NDC and NPP, the two parties needed to sign a memorandum of understanding to ensure peace at all times.

He deplored the defacing of political party posters and appealed to the Police to prosecute offenders when caught.