Boycott NPP and NDC - DPP

The Democratic People's Party (DPP) on Monday said Ghana stood the chance of losing its political stability unless a firm stand was taken by all Ghanaians to check the utterances and actions of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) to protect the nation's peace.

Accusing the two parties of toying with the stability of the nation through their actions in recent times, Mr Thomas Ward-Brew, Chairman of the DPP, appealed to opinion leaders and leaders of various religious organisations to offer prayers and adopt various methods to stop the NPP and NDC from inciting violence in the run-up to Election 2004.

Addressing a press conference in Accra, Mr Ward-Brew called on Ghanaians to be wary of the two parties and boycott them in the forthcoming elections by "precipitating their march into opposition where they can sort themselves out".

He said "civil disorder was looming large on the horizon...these two parties are not entitled to the votes of Ghanaians if they do not treasure the peace of this nation.

"Peace is like an egg, once it disintegrates it is difficult to reconstruct just like it happens in post-war reconstructions and disarmament, which are not easy to handle."

Mr Ward-Brew accused the NPP and NDC of employing "machomen", and openly displaying wealth and challenging each other with expensive cars and opulence, especially during the various by-elections held last year.

Mr Ward-Brew said both parties had the advantage of having enjoyed incumbency and, therefore, wielded lot of power and wealth, which they could employ in unhealthy rivalry against each other.

The Chairman of the DPP deplored the recent reports about arms being brought into the country describing it as an unhealthy development in an election year.

0n the march to Election 2004, he urged the Government to quickly see to fully resource the Electoral Commission, especially in the light of the delay in the processing of a new voters register.

He also called for the definite decision on the funding of political parties and also expressed worry on the many cases being brought against some members of the former ruling NDC party saying the timing of these cases could be a breeding ground for violence since harassment and frustration could lead to aggressive behaviour.

Mr Ward-Brew said in view of the elections, the National Reconciliation Commission (NRC) should sit in camera and defer the submissions of its reports until next year, as a sign of goodwill and for the avoidance of a cross fire.

He called on the Government to endeavour to reduce the rise in armed robbery since it could serve as a breeding ground for political instability.

The DPP Chairman also called on the government to give some concession to women to contest in the elections even while in active civil and public service to serve as an encouragement to have more women candidates.

He said the DPP would hold its congress on March 27, to elect its Flagbearer and other Parliamentary candidates.