The Central regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has condemned what it describes as violent attacks on some members of the party at Ajumako Besease on Saturday, October 1, by thugs they suspect to be members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

A statement released by the Regional Communications Officer of the party, Kwesi Dawood, on Sunday said: “In preparations towards a planned Keep Fit activity today, Sunday, 2nd October 2016, the communications wing of the Ajumako/Enyan/Essiam constituency went about their usual evening publicity through Ajumako Besease. The communications officers were set upon by the NPP thugs in a pick-up and on motor bikes at Bethel Hill, forcefully pulled down from their vehicles, and viciously assaulted. As peace-loving and law-abiding citizens, our activists did not retaliate but went to the police station to lodge a complaint. The NPP thugs chased our officers to the Besease police station to continue their violent assault.

“In the process, a known activist of the NPP, Rasta, stabbed an NDC officer, Samuel Asare, in the right eye. Another NPP activist also used an offensive weapon to knock him down. With blood oozing from his eye, Comrade Asare passed out instantly.

The family and friends of Samuel Asare identified the perpetrator of the unprovoked attack on their relation as the driver of Mr J. N. Okyere, who is the Managing Director of Comptran Engineering & Planning Associates and Chairman of the NPP's Central Regional Finance Committee.

“Mr J.N Okyere is believed to have incited the NPP thugs to assault the NDC activists and because he is the mastermind of this dastardly act, his driver got emboldened not only to stab Samuel Asare but also rushed to his residence for a machete to inflict more wounds on our activists.”

The statement added: “This unprovoked attack has led to an increase in tensions in the constituency and anxiety among members of the NDC.

Despite this violent provocation, we urge all NDC members in the constituency to exercise restraint and refrain from any acts that may undermine the peace even as the Regional leadership takes steps to restore normalcy.

We are aware that the NPP is poised for violent confrontation this electioneering season in keeping with the violent disposition of their flagbearer, Nana Akufo Addo. We are aware that his call to violence through his ‘all-die-be-die’ chants still provides inspiration for misguided youth of his party to resort to violence at the slightest opportunity.

“We in the NDC subscribe to peaceful political conduct and would not encourage or partake in any form of violence. We would, instead, focus on championing the propagation of the monumental developments of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama and leave the security agencies to ensure law and order in the Central Region and elsewhere.

“The NDC has a job to execute and will not be distracted from our core mandate of ensuring a ‘one touch’ victory for the president with a historic minimum of twenty (20) parliamentary seats; our eyes are firmly fixed on the prize. In conclusion, we call on the Police and other security agencies to bring the perpetrators of this crime to book immediately.”