The Ashanti Heritage Platform (AHP) has criticized the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for their campaign tactics ahead of Ghana’s December 7 elections, alleging insults, tribalism, and plans to incite chaos in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking at a press briefing, spokesperson Collins Owusu Amankwah emphasized the NPP’s commitment to clean and issue-based campaigning while cautioning against disruptive actions by the opposition.
Amankwah accused former President John Mahama of using divisive language, stating, “Mahama called anyone who highlights the government’s achievements ‘stupid,’ a remark unworthy of a leader.” He also condemned NDC member Dela Edem for comments about former President Kufuor’s health, calling them “silly and disrespectful.”
Amankwah expressed frustration over alleged insults directed at the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, adding, “We will not tolerate attacks on our leaders or our King.”
The AHP also accused the NDC of stoking tribal tensions. “While Okudzeto Ablakwa urged Voltarians to treat the NDC as a religion, he and Cassiel Ato Forson told Ashantis to reject the NPP,” Amankwah alleged. He claimed the NDC was recruiting former security personnel to intimidate voters on election day.
Despite these concerns, Amankwah expressed confidence in the NPP’s chances, noting their policy-driven approach and grassroots support. He urged Ghanaians to vote for the NPP to safeguard programs initiated under President Nana Akufo-Addo, stating, “We are poised to protect our gains and deliver victory for Dr. Bawumia and the NPP on December 7.”
See the full statement below:
3rd December, 2024. TUESDAY.
Press Statement By Ashanti Heritage Platform (AHP) On Political Happenings In Ashanti.
Good morning members of the media.
I am happy that you have been able to assemble here to listen to the Ashanti Heritage Platform on issues we deem important to address as we prepare for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday.
We believe it is the right of every Political party to campaign but by doing so it is incumbent on the agents of these parties to be truthful, civil and fair.
We at the AHP have however observed that elements within the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) want to play the game by using dirty tactics and at this juncture, I would want to categorise the points of AHP.
Political Insults:
First of all rather than putting out good policies and ideas, the NDC members from their flag-bearer to least of their front have been pouring out insults on their opponents, especially on the NPP.
It started with the former President, John Mahama who called anyone that is talking about infrastructure and other monumental projects of this government as stupid, a very unfortunate and bad attitude by a person who should know better.
Right after that, Dela Edem, another member of the NDC also followed up by attacking former President JA Kufuor for being in a wheelchair because of his bad deeds.
This silly statement on President Kufuor was made by a person who incidentally benefitted from the NHIS, an intervention policy instituted by Mr Kufuor.
We know that Dela Edem did this because our former Leader and President decided to endorse Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, our flag-bearer for election 2024. We also note the incessant outpour of insults on our revered King, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II by assigns of the NDC including Kevin Taylor.
Tribal Schemes and Plots
Right after these insulting campaigns, the NDC sensing their campaign was failing sent elements from their Parliamentary caucus to storm Ashanti to preach hate and tribalism in media spaces.
Interestingly, while Okudzeto Ablakwa was telling Voltarians to see NDC as a religion and vote for the party in 2024, he and Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority leader of their caucus decided to hop from radio station to radio station to tell Ashantis to reject the NPP.
We want to remind the NDC that we know that these tribal things are being done so as to foment trouble in Ashanti.
We also know that they are recruiting former military and policemen as well as other thugs on voting day to cause confusion in the Ashanti region and to intimidate voters from coming out to vote in their numbers on December 7.
We are also aware of plans to use Alfred Mahama, the President’s brother, Richard Jakpa and Hopeson Adorye to carry out evil machinations in Ashanti.
NPP Strategy:
We in the NPP are still committed to clean campaign and it is clear that our flag-bearer Dr Mahamodu Bawumia including all our Parliamentary candidates have carried out issue-based campaigns throughout the country.
We are therefore winning the upcoming elections on our strengths, our work and the issues we’ve raised in our campaign.
Our message to the electorate has been superior, clear and unambiguous and we are winning majority in Parliament and retaining the Presidency on December 7.
Caution:
However, we hereby serve notice that no one would be allowed to insult our leaders and our flag-bearer as well as our King and go free.
We will also not allow people to infiltrate the Ashanti region and carry out hate speech and a foul language agenda.
We, therefore, caution elements in the NDC that the NPP will use all legitimate means to ensure people go out to vote peacefully on December 7.
We have plans to protect the ballot until the EC declares the elections after the time stipulated for voting and counting of ballots.
We also want to assure the media that the NPP stands resolute to protect its stronghold and consolidate our gains in other regions of the country knowing that victory is in sight and by God’s grace we are winning both the Parliamentary and Presidential elections on December 7.
We want to use this opportunity to call on all party members and Ghanaians across Ghana to go out on December 7 and vote for the NPP.
This would ensure that the social intervention policies and programmes commenced by the Nana Akufo-Addo government are protected and sustained.
God bless you for your attention.
Thank you.
