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General News of Tuesday, 4 September 2001

Source: GNA

NPP, NDC deny clash story

The Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command and the regional leadership of both the NPP and the NDC on Monday denied that there was a clash between supporters of the two parties in Sunyani last Friday.

This was in reaction to a report in the last Saturday's edition of the "Ghanaian Times" newspaper that supporters of the two parties clashed at the premises of Sky FM local radio station.

Mr Oppong Nkrumah, NDC Regional Secretary said Mr Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah,

Member of Parliament (MP) for Wenchi West was explaining the NDC's stand on national issues in a radio programme.

He said following a reaction from Mr Kwadwo Yeboah-Fordjour, NPP Regional Chairman who went to the studio to contest Mr Asiedu-Nketiah's assertions, some people believed to be NPP supporters, besieged the station.

Mr Nkrumah denied that the NDC mobilised its members to confront the NPP sympathisers, saying he sent four party drivers to tell Mr Asiedu-Nketiah to stop contributing to the programme and leave the station for the sake of peace.

Mr Nkrumah said when he had a reply from Mr Nketia, "the regional youth organiser, Mr Seidu Mahama, accompanied me to escort the MP from the station through a back door and nothing happened".

Alhaji Kwadwo Maama Adam, former Deputy Regional Minister, appealed to supporters of political parties to tolerate each other's views in order to promote good governance and to ensure the growth of democratic culture.

Mr Kwame Twumasi Awuah, Regional Youth Organiser of the NPP said if there was a clash, "Mr Asiedu-Nketiah would not have been paraded in an NDC open-van in the vicinity of the radio station before being taken away".

Superintendent Amadu Salifu, Regional Crime Officer corroborated the views of the two parties, saying he had detailed some police officers to the scene to ensure peace and order.

He advised leaders and supporters of political parties to desist from making inflammatory statements particularly on radio.