National Democratic Congress salutes Dagbon

Accra, Aug. 20, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday urged the people of Dagbon to demonstrate the utmost tolerance and resist all forms of provocation following the lifting of the State of Emergency imposed on the area for the past two-and-a-half years after the assassination of Ya-Na Yakubu Andani II, Paramount Chief of Dagbon and 30 others.

The Party said their tolerance and resistance were particularly necessary "as we enter the campaign period leading up to the December elections."

A statement signed by Dr Nii Josiah Aryeh, General Secretary of the NDC, in welcoming the lifting of the State of Emergency said: "The peace and development of Dagbon are of vital importance".

It said: "The NDC will, however, always stand by them in the pursuit of justice to find the killers of the king, and for the culprits to be dealt with according to the laws of Ghana so that truth, justice and peace will become the bulwarks of the Dagbon State."

The Party said it consistently shared the pains and agonies of the people of Dagbon during the long period of the State of Emergency. "We were particularly concerned about limitations imposed on the constitutional rights to freedom of movement and of association as a result of the State of Emergency.

"The position held by the NDC on the necessity for lifting the State of Emergency has, at long last, been vindicated," the statement said.

The NDC saluted the people for their patience, as well as their general comportment in the face of the most intolerable inconveniences during the period.

"We also salute our own Minority Caucus in Parliament for the progressive stand they took on the issue anytime the Government brought a new motion for the extension of the State of Emergency"

It said: "By taking that stand, they were able to work together with other freedom lovers to get Government to take appropriate measures about Dagbon."

Their collective effort in the debating in the chamber helped in no small way towards the ultimate lifting of the State of Emergency.

The NDC said: "We further salute workers in the health and public security sectors, who went beyond the call of duty and made their services available to all during the darkest moments of the State of Emergency.

The Party said it was optimistic that the people of Dagbon would take advantage of the latest development to resume normal activities and to work towards the prosperity of their communities.

"We entreat them to uphold the relative peace that has come to the area and to work in cooperation with the security agencies to maintain the peace," the statement said.