The National Organiser of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) has thrown a challenge to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to carry out their threat to perpetuate violence ahead of the 2012 general elections. According to him, the NDC is “sick and tired” of the NPP beating war drums, assuring government would face them squarely if they instigate any violence in their bid to win next year’s elections. Yaw Boateng Gyan was reacting to comment attributed to Mark Manu, former party chairman of the NPP that the party would arm themselves with cutlasses and guns for self defense in 2012. Mark Manu in an interaction with party members in London is reported to have said the failure on the part of the police to protect them during the bye-elections in Akwatia, Cherepone and Atiwa has thought them a useful lesson and will consider protecting themselves in the next general election. However, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, the NDC National Organizer incensed by Mark Manu’s comment urged the NPP to brace themselves for a face off in 2012. He added that “if they (NPP) carry out their threat we would face them equally”. Yaw Boateng Gyan noted that the NPP in their desperate attempt to come back to power have resorted to threat just to blackmail Ghanaians to vote them in next year’s elections. Citing the infamous “All die be die” and “at all cost” comments by the NPP flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a clear example of NPP’s hooliganism, Yaw Boateng Gyan bemoaned that “Ghana does not belong to the NPP” hence they should not hold the country to ransom just for power. The NDC National Organiser could not fathom why a peace loving and modest person like Mark Manu could make such a radical comment which is very uncharacteristic him. The NDC leader called on well-meaning Ghanaians to condemn the NPP for planning to plunge the country into chaos in 2012. Yaw Boateng Gyan reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure a free, fair and transparent elections next year.