The NDC is ready to meet the NPP following the dissolution of self-defense groups, but asks CNP to act as mediator

Saturday, March 23, 2019 Policy

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2019-03-23

The leaders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have declared themselves ready to meet the leaders of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) so that discussions begin every day and at any place regarding the dismantling of political self-defense groups in the country.

In a letter dated March 21, 2019, signed by the Secretary General of the party, Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, and addressed to the Secretary General of the NPP, Mr. John Boadu, the NDC declared, however, to have asked the National Peace Council (CNP) to play a mediating role in the discussion.

"We have taken the liberty of asking the National Peace Council to kindly exercise its statutory mandate and to badume the role of mediator in the deliberations on the above-mentioned subject"

"We are ready to meet you in any place and on any date proposed by the National Peace Council," the letter says.

The letter

The letter followed a previous letter to the party from the NPP leadership regarding the need for both parties to meet during this week and begin discussions on the dismantling of political self-defense groups. badociated with them.

In a letter dated March 15, 2019, the NPP proposed to the CND to choose a date, a location and the relevant actors it deems appropriate for the meeting.

In response to the aforementioned request, the NDC in its letter thanked the NPP leaders for corroborating its position that the discussion should be a multi-stakeholder engagement.

Recall

It will be remembered that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in his third speech on the state of the nation on February 21 this year, had enjoined both parties to meet in the week of his speech in order to dialogue on supporters of the dissolution of the party.

He added that if the dialogue failed, he would propose legislation in this area.

After a week of almost no news from the NPP, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo, NDC President, wrote to the President.

In his letter, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo suggested inviting other political parties, civil society and the media to join the dialogue.

In his response, President Akufo-Addo stated that he saw no reason to respond to this request as the proposed groups did not have any "vigilante" groups.

Due to the delay of the NPP and the NDC to meet on this issue, the President has since ordered the Attorney General to draft a bill to combat the threat of political vigilance.