NDC urges supporters to celebrate with decorum

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called on its members to jubilate with decorum and refrain from destroying state property. 

The party indicated that it had received news of various incidents of vandalism on some state property across the country by some supporters of the party.

Addressing a press conference at the party's Head Office at Adabraka in Accra yesterday, the National Communication Director of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, condemned the acts of vandalism by some of the party’s supporters and instances of violence, which had resulted in the death of some of them.

"These unfortunate incidents are reported to have been carried out by over-jubilant supporters of the NDC, who have been carried away by the excitement of the party's resounding victory in the just-ended presidential and parliamentary elections.

“The NDC hereby condemns, in no uncertain terms, these acts of lawlessness, whether carried out by NDC supporters or other party supporters," he said.

He further called on party faithful to exercise restraint and go about their jubilation with a sense of responsibility as the NDC remained committed to upholding proper accountability in government in accordance with the law, beginning from January 7, next year.

Vandalism not the answer

Mr Gyamfi explained that the vandalism of state property, mob justice, and any form of lawless retribution had the potential to undermine the peace and stability of the nation; hence, the call for calm among all its supporters across the 16 regions of Ghana.

"Comrades, our hard-fought and long-awaited victory is finally here. Our long-awaited victory, the change we've all been waiting for, has finally arrived.

“Let's celebrate this victory responsibly and trust the incoming NDC Mahama government to do the needful as far as probity and accountability are concerned in accordance with the rule of law.

The day of accountability is finally here. Our patience is very critical at this stage," he said.

The NDC Director of Communication added that although the acts of vandalism were attributed to the NDC, "there are many disgruntled and frustrated NPP supporters who are looking for an opportunity to cause mayhem and must not be given the opportunity to use these acts as smokescreens to erase some evidence for their prosecution".

The National Communication Director of the NDC said the party would need its supporters to be present at the swearing-in of the President-elect on January 7; hence, they must not be caught up injured or dead because of ongoing excesses with the jubilation.

Contestation

Mr Gyamfi indicated that the party was keenly following constituencies whose results were yet to be declared.

He affirmed, "Once results have been declared, the results cannot be changed at the regional collation centre. If the declaration was legally made at the constituency collation centre by the designated returning officer."

He, therefore, expressed confidence that at the end of the day, the truth would prevail and parliamentary candidates of the NDC would be declared as the duly elected Members of Parliament for those constituencies under contestation.