16th January 2013

Very disturbing, violent events occurred at the vicinity of the Supreme Court today. Ordinary Ghanaians walking along the High Street, in front of the Supreme Court building, were attacked by an organised group of supporters of the National Democratic Congress with weapons, including canes, deliberately supplied to them.

Among the victims of today’s senseless attacks were hawkers, a pregnant woman, a teenage girl walking on the other side of the road who just happened to be wearing an NPP scarf. If it was not for the intervention of some of the police officers, the poor teenager would have been beaten to pulp. Also attacked was Nana Kofi Damoah, a young NPP activist, who was assaulted with sticks by a group of NDC supporters right at the entrance of the Court. It is obvious that this was a planned and orchestrated attack by NDC on innocent people perceived to be supporters or sympathisers of the New Patriotic Party.

These unprovoked acts of violence and intimidation are provocative and extremely disturbing. Nothing was said or done by those innocent Ghanaians to have fallen victim to such violence.

We wish to send a strong message to President Mahama and the entire leadership of the NDC that what happened today is totally unacceptable. They should, therefore, call their supporters to order and bring to book those among their fold who are determined to use such NDC supporters as instruments of political violence.

The NPP is determined to play by the rules and so should the President and his party. We, for our part, have been able to keep our supporters calm and will continue to urge them to remain calm. We thank the security agencies for saving the situation and urge them to continue to enforce their mandate of protecting lives and property.

......signed...... Sammy Awuku Deputy NPP Communications Director