The NPP officially invites the NDC to talks on "militias"; says he's open to NDC's proposals

General News of Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Source: clbadfmonline.com

2019-03-19

The new ruling Patriotic Party (NPP) has declared itself open to a proposal by the main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to include neutral third parties in their discussions for dissolution. militias affiliated to both parties.

President Nana Akufo-Addo first proposed the meeting between the two parties when he delivered his speech on the state of the nation in February, following the police violence that tainted the country. Partial Election of Ayawaso West Wuogon on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

The NDC, however, wrote to the president, through its national president, Mr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, suggesting that the National Peace Council be included in such a meeting as a neutral interlocutor alongside other stakeholders.

The President responded to this letter by emphasizing that both parties were able to meet at the table to solve the problem themselves without involving outside people.

The NDC responded to the President in a second letter in which the party insisted that neutral third parties such as the UN, AU and ECOWAS be present at such a meeting to ensure the mediation of the talks.

In his second response to the NDC, the President stated that he had ordered his Attorney General to begin drafting a bill to prohibit party militarism, without prejudice to any meeting that both parties may have. following on the same subject.

In an invitation letter to Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo for a meeting on the subject, NPP Secretary General John Boadu said he was delighted, on behalf of the party, "to invite you officially (the NDC) to a meeting to discuss the threat of political vigilance, which has gained notoriety in the country, and explore ways to permanently dissolve the various self-defense groups badociated with the two main political parties of the country. Ghana ".

Mr. Boadu said that the "invitation" was made necessary not only by the president's appeal during the State of the Nation Address in 2019, but also by the legitimate concerns expressed by the Ghanaians overwhelming about this threat and the need for both political parties to do the same. the necessary in the interest of the nation ".

In his letter, Mr. Boadu told the NDC President: "You will remember that since the president made this call, our national president, Freddie Blay, has engaged you in telephone conversations on the subject. We believe that the time has come for the parties to hold this crucial meeting, which the whole country is looking forward to.

"We have also taken note of your request to expand the scope of the mission to multiple stakeholders and wish to badure you that the NPP captures this consideration at the meeting, which will give both parties the opportunity to to agree on the different stakeholders to invite to the following commitments.

"The NPP is proposing that this crucial meeting take place this week in a venue that is right for you, so please contact the party as soon as possible when you find the appropriate venue."