The National Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye has expressed disappointment over the NDC's refusal to sign a peace declaration ahead of the upcoming election.

He criticized the decision, calling it reckless, arguing that the reasons provided by the NDC do not align with the reality that the election will be fair and peaceful.

This follows a declaration by NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, that the party would not be signing any peace declaration in the lead-up to the elections.

Speaking on Joy News' PM Express, Asiedu Nketia voiced doubts about the effectiveness of such pacts, citing the lack of tangible outcomes from similar agreements in the past. “Signing a peace declaration doesn’t mean anything to the party, as previous pacts have not yielded any real results,” he said.

In response, Mr Boakye, speaking on Joy FM's News Night on Thursday, August 15, said, “It is unfortunate that the NDC does not want to sign. Frankly speaking, I believe this reckless statement should be condemned by all, as it stokes unnecessary tension.”

Mr Boakye also pointed out that similar peace processes have been undertaken multiple times in the past, including in 2008 when the NPP was in power and lost the election after signing the peace accord. “In 2012, we were in opposition, signed the accord, and lost again. The same happened in 2016. Even then, during an important occasion organized by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, all presidential candidates, including Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, signed the peace pact. So, what has changed now to prompt such a reckless statement from the NDC's National Chairman?” he questioned.

He further argued that if he were to list all the violent incidents associated with the NDC, he would not finish speaking within the programme's time. “Chereponi is a clear example. The fact that we have experienced pockets of violence does not justify the NDC’s refusal to sign the peace pact. This stance suggests they are laying the groundwork to reject the election results because they know they are going to lose," he asserted.

Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, however, defended the NDC's decision, stating that preventing violence requires proactive measures rather than symbolic gestures. “If you allow violence to brew, it will happen whether you sign a declaration or not. That’s why, more than a year ago, I started talking about the need to remove the building blocks for a violent election,” he explained.

Mr Boakye remains confident that the upcoming election will be peaceful, fair, and credible, with the NPP emerging victorious. “Look, if Hon. Bryan Acheampong is confident that the NPP party will win this election and some people want to spin his words, that’s their problem. And you expect Bryan Acheampong on a campaign platform to say we’re going to lose?”

He also defended Mr Acheampong’s controversial statement, where he asserted that the NPP would use any means necessary to win the 2024 election.

Read also : We’ll engage NDC on peace declaration concerns – National Peace Council