The NDC parliamentary candidate for the Effutu Constituency in the Central Region, James Kofi Anan has laid the blame on the police doorstep for the clash between supporters of the NPP and NDC in Winneba on Tuesday morning.
Although no injury was recorded, pockets of fisticuffs ensued between supporters of both parties who clashed at the Winneba Secondary School Junction, when supporters of the NPP who were staging a walk bumped into supporters of the opposition, who have converged at the spot to proceed with a planned demonstration.
While the police team that offered protection for the NDC supporters were able to handle the situation, the arrival of the Winneba Divisional Police Commander, ACP Jeffrey Darko, who was leading another team to offer protection for the NPP supporters caused an escalation as he was accused of being partial by members of the opposition.
Speaking to Metro News, the NDC parliamentary candidate, Dr James Kofi Annan, queried why the police commander okayed the NPP’s decision to stage a health walk using the same route chosen by the NDC even though the latter had already planned the protest and secured permit from the police.
He believes the police commander would have been responsible if there were any casualties and therefore asking the police administration to look into the conduct of the police commander.
Tensions have been high in Winneba in recent weeks following destruction of several billboards that belonged to the NDC.
Issues of the party’s candidate’s nomination forms that have allegedly been leaked to the NPP as well as an outstanding petition to the EC concerning the transfer of some voters to the constituency that is yet to be responded to caused members to stage a demonstration and petition the traditional ruler of Winneba, Nenyi Ghartey VII.
By: Akwasi Addo | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
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