The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has cautioned political parties to take a cue from events that led to the death of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Upper East Chairman, Adams Mahama.
It also urged the parties to discourage such acts by openly denouncing persons who carry out such barbaric acts and also treat them like criminals.
In a statement from the centre in response to the acid attack on the chairman, which led to his death, it also advised members of the political parties and family of the deceased to also allow the law to take its course.
Although CDD-Ghana indicated that it is gratifying that the leaderships of both the NPP and National Democratic Congress (NDC) have condemned this latest incident, the centre expressed concerns that perpetrators of such election-related violence in the past “have gone unpunished, and in many instances are condoned (and not reprimanded) by political party leadership.”
The centre observed that such acts undermine efforts being made to promote peace, stability, good governance and the consolidation of democracy in Ghana.
It expressed the hope that those who carried out the acid attack on Adams Mahama should be treated as criminals, prosecuted and punished to serve as a deterrent to others.
“The centre is thus encouraged by the fact that the Ghana Police Service is investigating what appears to be a politically motivated crime, and is confident the criminals will be apprehended.
“As the Ghana Police Service conducts its investigations into the matter, CDD-Ghana urges all political parties to draw lessons from this incident, albeit unfortunate, to foster the democratic spirit of contestation of ideas instead of the use of violence in resolving differences.”
CDD-Ghana, however, appealed to the family and supporters of Adams Mahama to remain calm and co-operate with the police in its investigations.
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