Let's fight political violence-Frances Asiam

Accra, Dec. 18, GNA - The Former Women's Organizer of the National Democratic Congress, (NDC) Miss Frances Asiam on Monday called for a national crusade against political violence to insulate politicians from the canker.

"The seeds of political vendetta, vindictiveness, malevolence and vituperative attacks which are precursors to political and national instability must not be allowed to gain stronghold in our dear country", she said.

Speaking at a press conference to respond to recent allegations that she and two other former members of the NDC were the cause of last year's mayhem that erupted at the NDC's Congress in Koforidua, in the Eastern Region, Miss Asiam noted that politics must not continue to be associated with violence, insults and brutalities.

Miss Asiam also announced at the conference, which marks a year of the Koforidua incident; that she would institutionalize the day (December 18) every year to serve as a forum to educate the youth and women on the dangers of violence in politics.

She said the most practical and progressive way of encouraging women to be in politics was to fight for the elimination of all forms of violence, brutalities, insults and intimidation in politics.

On the issue of the Koforidua mayhem, Miss Asiam refuted the allegation that it was Dr Obed Asamoah, Former Chairman of the NDC; Mr Bede Ziedeng, Former Acting General Secretary of NDC, and she caused the mayhem.

She rather accused Former President Jerry John Rawlings of being the brain-behind the violence that was mainly targeted at her. She commended the Police for protecting her life and also for instituting a panel of high ranking officers to investigate the incident. She, however, expressed worry over the delay in the issuance of the report, which she said could possibly be taken to court for justice.

Miss Asiam said as a result of the brutalities she suffered at the hands of her attackers at the Congress, she was still seeking medical treatment for her watering eyes and enlarged heart, adding: "I still limp when I walk".