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The disturbing times NDC and NPP have clashed this year
The latest incident which occurred on Sunday in front of Nana Akufo-Addo’s house has raised concerns over the country’s security ahead of the elections.
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It is, however, unclear what triggered the clashes but according to reports, both sides confirmed gunshots and hurling of harmful objects.
The NPP’s acting General Secretary, John Boadu at a press conference hours after the incident accused the NDC of attacking their supporters with guns, knives and other harmful objects.
The NDC has since denied the claims saying it was the personal security of Nana Addo who first fired multiple shots at the NDC members.
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Police have since launched investigations into the incident.
There were also reported clashes between the two parties at a village called Garikpe in the Wulensi constituency over the weekend. The two candidates, the NPP’s Thomas Donkor Ogaaja and George Larrir Maabam accused each other of instigating the violence.
But before these, there have been earlier attacks between the two leading parties that have injured and hospitalised many.
Security agencies are yet to make arrests in several of these confrontations. Even in cases where there have been arrests, the prosecution was not done.
Pulse.com.gh brings you a list of some of the clashes that have occurred between the NDC and the NPP this year ahead of the elections.
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Odododiodioo clashes
The constituency has often been hit with confrontations ahead of major elections in the country. Supporters of the governing NDC and the NPP clashed in the Odododiodioo constituency in Accra on November 8, 2016.
Reports say the fight occurred at the end of two separate campaign rallies held by the two parties.
Several people from both sides were reported injured and others were hospitalised.
The NPP MP aspirant for the constituency, Nii Lante Bannerman subsequently accused the Member of Parliament for the Odododiodoo constituency, Nii Lante Vanderpuije of physically assaulting him.
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The police invited the MP for questioning, but what has happened afterwards remains unknown, as police are yet to come out with any information.
The two earlier clashed in October when the brother of the late Nii Ayi Kwei Mankatah, former NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Odododiodoo, took offence to a song composed against him by an NPP supporter.
Before that, the two parties attacked each other in September after a planned parliamentary debate between the NDC’s incumbent Member of Parliament, Nii Lante Vanderpuije, and NPP’s Nii Lante Bannerman, turned chaotic resulting in injuries.
Kukoum clashes
In that same month of September, a similar clash ensued between supporters of the two leading political parties at Kukoum in the Eastern Region.
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The two parties accused each other of manipulating the voter transfer exercise in the area for their gain. The clashes led to destruction of some electoral equipment at the offices of the EC necessitating a suspension of the exercise. Unfortunately, there has been no documentation of any arrest being made.
Ajumako-Besease clashes
In October, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), John Kudalor ordered the deployment of more officers to Ajumako-Besease in Central Region after political violence left several people injured.
Clashes between members of the governing NDC and opposition NPP led to one sympathiser of the governing party and two others from the opposition party sustaining various degrees of injuries. An NDC supporter, Samuel Asare was allegedly stabbed in the right eye when some irate NPP thugs in a pick-up and on motorbikes reportedly assaulted them at Bethel Hill.
Zabzugu clashes over voters transfer exercise
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Violent political clashes erupted in Zabzugu in the Northern region between supporters of the National Democratic Congress, New Patriotic Party and an Independent candidate for Tatale- Sanguli constituency, James Cecil Yanwube.
The confusion began in October over a misunderstanding in the voters transfer exercise by the Electoral Commission. Supporters of the NPP and the Independent candidate who is also Member of Parliament for Tatale attacked each other after the NPP accused the MP of transporting “foreigners” to patronize the exercise. Two arrests were made but nothing more.
Suhum clashes
About 20 irate youth believed to be supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Suhum clashed with some women who were said to be members of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP’s) Royal Ladies on October 13, 2016.
The NPP ladies, who were more than 15, were on a house-to-house campaign in the evening when the irate supporters of the NDC who were in a party vehicle stopped near them, accused them of making derogatory statements against their parliamentary candidate, Margaret Ansei, alias Magoo, and reportedly assaulted them.
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Walewale clashes in July
Clashes broke out between the NDC and the NPP in the same month of October when supporters of the two main political parties clashed in Walewale township where two youth groups simultaneously launched their campaign activities.
These are the NPP’s “Bawumia Youth for Change” and the NDC’s Zaadiaya Youth group fronting for the Northern regional Minister.
Brong Ahafo clashes over Limited voter registration
The timely intervention of the police prevented a bloodbath between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) at some registration centers at Nkoranza in the Brong Ahafo region during the limited voter registration exercise in May this year.
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Supporters of the two attacked each other with cutlasses and other sharp instruments over challenges of some new registrants by polling agents of both parties.
The above are some of the disturbing occurrences that have happened in the run-up to the December 7 polls, with some of the more serious attack occurring in the month of October. There are fears that the conflicts might escalate as the two leading parties continue to hurl insults at each other over any latest provocation.
As the National Peace Council continues to urge political parties to call their supporters to order, the Police has also assured all and sundry that it is solidly on the ground to forestall any disturbances.
But with the latest clashes on Sunday, many are already beginning to doubt the preparedness of the police to handle the situation.
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