We stand for peace: Dr Nduom declares

The CPP presidential hopeful Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom has played down notions that it is in northern Ghana to do politics.

In an interview with Joy News' correspondents, Dr Nduom who leads the main Nkrumaist fraternity in the run-up to the December elections, said the CPP "stands for peace" and that the party is up north to give support to victims of the recent clashes.

"We have come to sooth people's feelings and also calm people's fears. We want to see the problem for ourselves, but most importantly we want to help," he said.

He stated that although the clashes involved supporters of the ruling New Patriotic Party and the opposition National Democratic Congress, members of the CPP in the region could also be affected in the event of future misunderstandings.

"As CPP people it doesn't matter [that] today it wasn't a CPP against anybody. If today it is NDC and NPP, tomorrow it could involve our people. So we want to talk to our people and let them know we stand for peace."

The CPP flag bearer is in Gushiegu few days after minor campaign activities by the NDC and the NPP nearly turned a bloodbath. At least seven deaths were recorded in the clashes with some 38 households affected.

Dr Nduom said his party would contribute its widow's mite to assist the affected households obtain food and shelter, that is, with "something small."

"We also want to give something small to the 38 households who were affected; to give them some maize, some sugar, some rice, to help them along."

Dr Nduom called for cool heads in a period political analysts describe as the final phase of campaigning towards the December polls.

He served notice to the NDC and the NPP that the Convention People's Party stands for peace and that all should work harder to uphold it.

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CID to investigate disturbances in Tamale, Gushiegu

The Special Investigations Unit and experts from the National Crime Scene unit of the CID Headquarters have been tasked to assist the Northern Region Police Command to investigate the recent disturbances in Tamale and Gushiegu. The clash occurred between sympathizers of the two major political parties, NDC and NPP, on August 31 and September 1 in Tamale and Gushiegu respectively.

A statement signed in Accra by the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police service, DSP Kwesi Ofori, said the violence at Gushiegu resulted in the death of three persons and destruction of valuable properties including seven vehicles and 23 houses. The team has been tasked to investigate the cause of the clashes and reports of arms cache in various places in the Northern Region and thus bring to book any person culpable of the clash.

The police listed 19 people who, it said, were believed to have valuable information on the clashes and asked them to assist the police in their investigations. They are Rashid Adbulrahman Salifu, Alhaji Asumah, Ahaji Saminu Sanni, Awudu Dafo (alias Azok), Bashiru Alhaji Alu, Agandazi, Yahuza Ishmael, Ria and Gazale.

The rest are Alhaji Zakari Sumani, Alhaji Abubakari Sumani, Asiumah Kalpohim, Karim Wonderful, King Dia, Murtla, Sibri Salman, Mumin, Mananu Sahana and Osman Banda.

It said any person who had any information, which could assist the police in their investigating, should contact the CID Headquarters on the following numbers - 0244326538; 0244368496; 0244665084. "The police wish to assure the general public that any persons found culpable of any criminal offences will be dealt with according to the laws of the land, irrespective of religion, party or ethnic affiliations," the statement said. The police therefore appealed to opinion leaders, social commentators and interested observers to desist from statements and insinuations that may inflame passions.

Source: GNA