Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Richard Ahiagbah, has said that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) must take accountability for the horrific murders of 11 people who were allegedly party members.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the NPP Headquarters in Accra, Mr. Ahiagbah charged that the NDC had failed to exercise leadership and warn its members about a wave of lawlessness that swept the party after their election victory on December 7.
He bemoaned the fact that the NDC’s flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama, and other NDC leaders’ inactivity encouraged the violent occurrences that led to the unfortunate deaths in Obuasi.
“The silence of President John Mahama and the NDC leadership indeed urged their thugs to continue. They felt invincible, untouchable, and unstoppable,” Mr Ahiagbah stated. “The bloodshed in Obuasi could have been avoided had the NDC cautioned their members against the violent rampage after the December 7th elections.”
He asserts that members of a political party’s base naturally carry out the leadership’s instructions. However, he asserted that this time, the NDC’s leadership not only failed to stop its supporters’ violent tendencies, but also allegedly encouraged them by doing nothing.
Additionally, Mr. Ahiagbah connected the unfortunate incident to what he called an“absence of leadership,” asserting that it was the NDC’s failure to issue strong directives that led to the deaths of its members. He stressed that those responsible for the acts of violence must be held accountable.
The Director of NPP Communications also urged the Ghana Police Service to bring about justice by conducting a fair and prompt inquiry into the killings. He underlined how crucial it is to guarantee that no person or organization implicated in the crime escapes punishment.
“We would like to call on the Ghana Police Service to conduct its investigation and ensure justice is served expeditiously,” Mr Ahiagbah stated.
“We also want to warn the police not to engage in any backroom deals with the John Mahama Administration to shield anyone in this matter.”
He added that he hoped political meddling or influence from the NDC leadership, especially former President Mahama, would not jeopardize justice for the victims.
“We are interested in justice for these NDC members and hope President John Dramani Mahama will not shield or clear anyone,” he added.
