APC calls for consensus- building conference

The All People's Congress (APC) has called for a national consensus-building conference with all stakeholders to discuss the way out of the challenges confronting the country.

According to the party, no individual party could solve the challenges of the economy. 

At a press conference in Accra last Tuesday, the leader and founder of the ACP, Mr Hassan Ayariga, also called on the government to open its doors and embrace holistic dialogue to foster inclusion and mutual respect for all.

Insecurity

He condemned what he described as "worsening state of insecurity" in the country and blamed the government for failing to protect citizens.

He called on the National Peace Council (NPC), the clergy and the relevant stakeholders in nation building to speak out on the issue.

Mr Ayariga cited the spate of armed robbery, attack on bullion vans and killing of some individuals as well as the attack on the #FixTheCountry campaigners as tendencies that were condemnable.

"For the first time in our history, we have a ministry responsible for National Security that does not live up to the expectation of providing our security. The situation is at its worst state as armed robbers are now attacking at public places in broad daylight; mobile money operators are being killed on a daily basis; traders and business men are not safe; police officials themselves are killed like never before," the APC said.

Speak out

He called on religious bodies, the academia, chiefs, political parties and the stakeholders to make their voices to be heard on the matter.

"This country is on its knees due to the loud silence from the Clergy, Peace Council, some civil society organisations whose voices have always been loud enough at other times but have suddenly gone to sleep and not awakened," the party said.

 The party stressed that if the current state of affairs was left unresolved, it could set a dangerous precedent for future governments.

"If we sit unconcerned and allow the police and government in power to intimidate citizens, then I am afraid one day another party in power will use police and military to prevent our constitutional right to even vote," he said.

The APC founder said policing in the 21st century had transformed so it was important for the police to examine and re-evaluate and benchmark their performances with their peers in the best policing countries of the world and emulate their best practices.