NPP is Practising 'Mate Meho' Politics

The Central Regional women's wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has observed with regret the latest political machinery of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to intimidate Ghanaians, especially NDC women, with the re-introduction of the 'mate meho' type of politics, which they condemned as not suitable for Ghana's developing democracy.

At a press conference in Cape Coast on Wednesday to condemn NPP supporters assault on an NDC activist during Nana Akufo-Addo, NPP Presidential aspirant's visit to the region last month. The women, led by the regional women's organizer, Tina Frimpong, observed that the NPP was now employing that type of political strategy, where an opponent was seen as an enemy and treated with contempt and impunity.

The statement followed the unwarranted assault by some NPP supporters on an NDC supporter who sold cooked-rice infront of the Cape Coast Castle, Madam Ekua Halm, for pasting the sticker of Prof John Evans Atta Mills, the NDC Presidential candidate, on the table on which she sold her rice, which was not far from where the rally was being held. They noted that this was not the first time such an incident had happened, citing the case of the NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Twifo Atti-Morkwaa, Mrs. Elizabeth Amoah-Tetteh, who was assaulted by the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Twifo-Hemang-Lower-Denkyira (THLD), Yaw Agyeibi-Kessie.

The women also condemned the avoidable clash between supporters of the NPP and the NDC at the residence of the Chief Imam, Sheik Nuhu Sharubutu, which according to them was orchestrated by the NPP for causing the blockade which prevented Prof Mills and his entourage from accessing the road. The assaulted NDC woman had her brazier and dress torn in the scuffle that ensued, rendering her almost naked. It took the intervention of the Cape Coast Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Ms Mercy Arhin, to whisk her away from the angry mob that confronted Ms Arhin in the process.

Ms Arhin is reported to have later paid GH ¢40 to Madam Halm to attend hospital, but according to Madam Halm, her total hospital bill was GH ¢56. The women's wing leader lamented that although the incident happened in the presence of the NPP flagbearer and some NPP gurus who had come to the rally, none of them have bothered to inquire about how Madam Halm was faring. They have therefore called for total condemnation of the act by all Ghanaians to help promote democracy in the country.