Talensi violence ‘unacceptable’ — Mahama; But Interior Minister says ‘violence begets violence’
President John Dramani Mahama has called on the security services to take lessons from the violence that characterised the Talensi by-election to prevent such occurrence in the 2016 presidential and parliamentary polls.
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In a tweet yesterday to congratulate the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Mr B.T. Baba, on his victory in the by-election, the President described the violence as "unacceptable" and, therefore, entreated the security services to take a cue from it to ensure peace in the next general election.
"Congrats BT Baba. Violence in Talensi unacceptable. Security services must take lessons learned to ensure peaceful 2016 polls," he said on his twitter handle, @JDMahama.
Mr Baba, a retired Deputy Director General of the Ghana Prisons Service and former chairman of the Ghana Olympic Committee, polled 10,366 representing 42.31 per cent of the total votes cast, to win the election.
Following him was the New Patriotic Party (NPP)s Thomas Duanab who garnered 6,845 votes representing 27.94 per cent, and the PNC's Dr Wombeoto Namailteng, who polled 6,836 representing 27.90 per cent.
The candidate for the PPP had 214 votes representing 0.87 per cent, the GFP 58 votes, NVP 93, UPP 49 and the IPP 38 votes
Violence
The security agencies had a hectic time controlling violence that occurred in last Tuesday's by-election.
Members of the ruling NDC and the main opposition NPP accused each other of engaging in the acts that nearly took the shine out of the election.
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The police impounded arms and ammunition, as well as dangerous implements, from some people.
No arrests have yet been made.
Political watchers believe the attacks and counter-attacks in just a by-election was enough warning of possible disturbances in the next general election.
Interior Minister on Talensi violence
But reacting to the reports of the chaos that characterised the Talensi by-elections, the Minister of the Interior, Mr Mark Owen Woyongo, described the incident as a case of “violence begets violence.”
“Violence begets violence. Azoka boys will not behave violently if they were not provoked.The other side also brought in some people…the Invincible Forces and then the Bolga Boys, so violence begets violence.
“What I mean is that if you are a peace lover and someone comes to attack you, definitely you have to protect yourself”, Mr Woyongo was reported as saying on a Kumasi-based radio station, Ultimate Radio.