NPP denies allegation of harassment

Sekondi, Dec 24, GNA - The Sekondi Constituency Women's Wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has denied that the party has been harassing members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Western Region. Mad Diana Hayford, a spokesperson for the women's wing, was speaking at a press conference in response to allegations made by Mr. John K. Ahinkorah, the Deputy Western Regional Secretary of the NDC, that the NPP was harassing its members in the region.

She said the alleged assault on Madam Adwoa Essanuah, 77, mother of Madam Betty Bosomtwi-Sam, defeated NDC Parliamentary candidate in the just ended elections, was unfortunate.

Mad Hayford said on December 13 one Ekow Mensah, a 69-year old supporter of the NPP, was listening to a discussion on the voting pattern in the Central Region while strolling on the Venice Cinema area in Sekondi.

He remarked that "even if Prof. John A. Mills, Presidential candidate of the NDC had won all the votes in his own region, President Kufuor would have won the elections".

This, Mad Hayford said, infuriated Mad Essanuah who was sitting in front of her house, insulted Mr Mensah and told him to look for a job. Mad Hayford said when Mr Mensah enquired whether the insults were directed at him, Madam Essuanuah replied in the affirmative, held his shirt and used her slippers to hit him and he fell.

The spokesperson said Mr Mensah on getting up pushed Madam Essanuah who also fell.

Madam Hayford said though the incident was unfortunate, "it is a tale of two oldies and not an orchestrated attempt by the party to harass anybody.''