The Trade Minister and member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan Kyerematen has condemned the act of violence that ensued among party supporters at Suhum on Saturday.

According to Mr Kyeremanten, the ideals of the party have no room for violence, thus the unfortunate incident that has left some persons injured should not be supported by Ghanaians, particularly the rank and file of the NPP.

“The incidence of reported violent clashes among supporters of our great party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Suhum Constituency of the Eastern Region on Saturday, August 28, 2021, is most unfortunate and must be condemned by all well-meaning Patriots,” the Minister stated in a press release.

Reports that reached JoyNews on Sunday disclosed that the party’s Lower West Akyem Communications Officer, Bernard Kwesi Amoani, was allegedly slashed on the forehead with a cutlass by the driver of the Suhum MP during a free-for-all-fight.

The chaos, which happened at the funeral grounds of one Opare, saw supporters of the Member of Parliament, Kwadwo Asante, and a Presidential staffer, Frank Asiedu Bekoe, popularly known as Protozoa exchanging blows.

But although this has been the report, Mr. Kyerematen says there are persons twisting the facts and putting the blame on himself and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

According to him, such actions only seek to tarnish their image.

He said, “Rumors currently circulating on social media that the clash was between my supporters and those of our Vice President are not only completely false, but mischievous and have been contrived to bring both the Vice President and my good self into public ridicule,” adding that, “I condemn without reservation this barbaric act of some members of our great party.”

For him, such misunderstandings should never escalate to the point where lives are put at risk. He reiterated that barbarism of any sort does not have a place in the New Patriotic Party as violence does not form part of the party's ideals.

“I believe strongly that any disagreement whether relating to a contest for position or differences in ideas and opinions should not be manifested in such violence in a party such as ours. The ideals of our party and tradition call for peaceful and harmonious co-existence and our motto, (Development in Freedom), has no place for violence.”

Mr Kyerematen has, therefore, called on the Suhum Constituency Executives, the Eastern Regional Executives as well as the National Executives of the party to take immediate steps to “resolve the differences between the two feuding sides to restore peace and discipline in the party.”

Meanwhile, the Suhum District Police Command has launched investigations into the case.

Find full statement below

ALAN KYEREMATEN CONDEMNS CLASHES BETWEEN SOME NPP SUPPORTERS IN SUHUM

The incidence of reported violent clashes between supporters of our great party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Suhum constituency of the Eastern Region on Saturday, August 28, 2021, is most unfortunate and must be condemned by all well meaning Patriots.

Rumors currently circulating on social media that the clash was between my supporters and those of our Vice President are not only completely false, but mischievous and have been contrived to bring both the Vice President and my good self into public ridicule. I condemn without reservation this barbaric act of some members of our great party.

I believe strongly that any disagreement whether relating to a contest for position or differences in ideas and opinions should not be manifested in such violence in a party such as ours. The ideals of our party and tradition call for peaceful and harmonious coexistence and our motto, (Development in Freedom), has no place for violence.

I therefore urge the Suhum Constituency Executives, the Eastern Regional Executives as well as the National Executives of the party to take immediate steps to resolve the differences between the two feuding sides to restore peace and discipline in the party.

Signed:
Alan Kyerematen