Cheddar: Nana Kwame Bediako on why he doesn't support protests
Independent presidential candidate and leader of the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako alias Cheddar, has distanced himself from the protest led by the group, Democracy Hub, which has seen 39 demonstrators remanded into Police custody.
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While acknowledging the frustrations of Ghana's youth, Nana Kwame Bediako emphasised that violence and protests were not the solution and asked for patience and peaceful action ahead of the 2024 elections.
Speaking during a break from his tour of Ghana’s 276 constituencies, Mr. Bediako addressed the fallout from the three-day protest, urging the youth to seek change through knowledge and wisdom, than confrontation.
“Power is taken, not given,” he said, “but we must take it with wisdom and knowledge. Violence, of course, is not going to be the right way for us to send the message.”
The protest, which took place near the 37 Military Hospital Intersection in Accra, led to charges of unlawful assembly, conspiracy, and damage to public property.
Thirty-nine protesters, following confrontations with law enforcement have been arrested by the police. They were on Tuesday arraigned and they have been remanded into both prison and police custody
Despite understanding the reasons behind the protest, Mr. Bediako expressed his disapproval, calling for a focus on building the country rather than resorting to actions that could destabilize it.
“We have to be patient. We have to know that Ghana is our only country. We cannot go anywhere else if we mess it up,” he warned, urging the youth to “build it together.”
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Mr. Bediako also addressed the leaders and opinion makers in Ghana, appealing for calm and dialogue instead of violence.
"I call for peace, a great understanding, and on the seventh of December, we’re going to have a peaceful election, and the people can decide," he remarked, emphasizing that change should come through democratic means.
He said: "This year is a voting year, and I want us to be peaceful as we're known as as Ghanaians. So I'm appealing to you, and I'm asking the youth of this country that I know a lot of things is not going right, but we have to be patient. We have to be patient, and we have to know that Ghana is our only country. We cannot go anywhere else if we mess it up. Instead of trying to mess it up, let's build it together. That's what I'm here for. Please, violence, I don't believe in it. Whatever you guys are doing, protesting and all of this, I can't support you, and I'm advising you that that's not the right way".
The Democracy Hub protest, originally intended to take place at Revolution Square near Jubilee House, turned chaotic after demonstrators clashed with police, leading to road blockages, destruction of political party posters, and the obstruction of traffic. The case has been adjourned to October 8, 2024.
Bediako concluded his comments by reinforcing his belief in peaceful solutions: “Violence is not the way. Let’s not mess up our country—let’s build it.”
Everyone has the right to make their voices heard through peaceful protest. Violence only takes us further from the change we seek. Let’s stand together and push for progress with respect and unity. pic.twitter.com/qymf1Ccs5p
— Nana Kwame Bediako (@OsagyefoNKB) September 24, 2024
Transcript of what Cheddar said:
I'm on tour right now with the 276 we're touring around Ghana, but today I'm seeing some videos that I'm not happy about. And I want to appeal to the youth of this country that power is taken and it's not given. And if we want to take power, we should take it with wisdom and knowledge. After all, power comes out of knowledge. I want us to use our knowledge. Violence, of course, is not going to be the right way for us to send the message. This year is a voting year, and I want us to be peaceful as we're known as as Ghanaians. So I'm appealing to you, and I'm asking the youth of this country that I know a lot of things is not going right, but we have to be patient. We have to be patient, and we have to know that Ghana is our only country. We cannot go anywhere else if we mess it up. Instead of trying to mess it up, let's build it together. That's what I'm here for. Please, violence, I don't believe in it. Whatever you guys are doing, protesting and all of this, I can't support you, and I'm advising you that that's not the right way. The opinion makers and leaders in this country, please, let's not make this also full of violence and misunderstanding. Let's find an amicable way to deal with the people this is our country, and no matter how bad it is, I call for peace, a great understanding and on the seventh of December. We're going to have a peaceful election. And the people can decide. Thank you very much. I'm urging all the youth again, that balance is not the way. Thank you.