General News of Wednesday, 8 November 2006

Source: GNA

NDC leadership to hold NPP responsible for any mishap

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Wednesday called on Ghanaians to hold the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government responsible should anything untoward happen to any of the leading figures of the party.

Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the Party stated that, "there are threats on the lives of the leadership of the NDC Party and other critical voices in the media and so if any of us die a mysterious death the NPP government would be held responsible."

He was speaking at a press conference to respond to alleged threats by the Military to clamp down on a group of subversionists that were planning to overthrow the NPP government.

Mr. Asiedu Nketia said the admission of the Military hierarchy that the document was authentic but was only meant for training purposes was a surprise to the party.

He said if the document was for training purposes, why the Military would choose Radio Gold, a private establishment located in a densely populated area like Laterbiokoshie for the operation. Mr. Asiedu Nketia asked whether the owners and workers of Radio Gold were alerted about the impending exercise and whether the President, who is the Commander of the Ghana Armed Forces was privy to the exercise.

He said a few months ago, an intelligence report indicated that there were plans to eliminate the former President, and that same week some armed men trailed the convoy of former President Rawlings from Accra to Tefle, but were confronted by security agencies at Sogakope. He said these, among other developments should not be viewed as mere unrelated coincidences and that a cursory analysis of those events gave the credence that the NPP government was up to some mischief.

Mr. Asiedu Nketia said the NDC had reason to be concerned about the developments on the national scene which, not only threatened the stability of democracy in the country but raised serious concerns about the commitment of the NPP government to the principle of rule of law and constitutional governance.

Mr. Asiedu Nketia said the NDC considered the 4th Republican Constitution and the peaceful transition of power as the greatest political legacy to the nation and would do everything in its power to protect it.

He assured the party, its supporters and the public that the leadership remained undeterred in the face of the threats as they prepared for congress in December to elect a flag bearer.