NDC urges members to celebrate with decorum, avoid vandalism

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged its members to celebrate with respect and refrain from damaging state property.

The party acknowledged reports of incidents where some of its supporters have engaged in vandalism of state property across the country.

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

"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 called on party faithfuls to exercise restraint and go about their jubilations with a sense of responsibility as the NDC remain committed to upholding proper accountability in government in accordance with the law beginning from January 7 next year.

Mr Gyamfi explained that the vandalism of state property, mob justice, and any form of lawless retribution have 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.

Mr Gyamfi added that, although the act 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".

He alleged that the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Annoh Dompre has been mentioned to have shot a sympathiser of the NDC in the thigh; stating, that Mr Dompre will face accountability after the swearing-in of Mr Mahama as the President of the country.

President-elect address 

Mr Gyamfi indicated that by 4.30 pm, the President-elect would be officially declared by the EC and by close of day, he would address the nation awaiting his swearing-in in the next 28 days as President.

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, must not be caught up in incidence that injure them or dead because of excesses currently ongoing with the jubilation.

For supporters at the various regional collation centres, he said, regional executives are there in their numbers and would continue to work to ensure that none of the results declared we're changed. 

Mr Gyamfi affirmed that, "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 center by the designated returning officer".

Contestation 

Mr Gyamfi indicated that the party was keenly following constituencies whose results were yet to be declared due to the EC trying to swap pink sheets.

"We are keenly monitoring constituencies that have not yet been declared, like Okaikoi Central, Ablekuma North, Fanteakwa North, Nsawam Adoagyiri because EC officials have tried without success to swap pink sheets," he said.

Mr Gyamfi expressed confidence that 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.