The flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, lost control of himself, became momentarily still and quiet, and then shed tears in public when he visited the Engresi Hospital in the Eastern Region last Sunday, to console victims of the recent brutality that occurred during the Atiwa bye-election. The NPP flagbearer was accompanied by Hackman Owusu Agyeman and Bernice Beatrice Boateng, members of parliament (MPs) for New Juaben North and South respectively, Esther Gbeng Dapaah, MP for New Abirem, Mr. Yaw Osafo Maafo, former Finance Minister, and national and regional executives. It was a difficult moment for Nana Akuffo Addo to even talk to the victims on their sick beds, as he lost his usual composure, upon seeing the conditions and suffering the victims were going through. After wishing them speedy recovery, Nana Addo also promised to foot their medical bills. Two of the victims, Adu George, 38, and Seth Ampofo, 20, who had their skins peeled off, were in critical condition as at the time of the visit, whilst one Isaac Agyeman, 18, is reported to have been referred to the Koforidua Central Hospital. Speaking to the paper, the officer in charge of the male ward, Mr. Aaron Oduro, said 10 out the 13 victims who sustained various degrees of injury had been treated and discharged. On his part, the elected Member of Parliament (MP) for the Atiwa constituency, Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta, reiterated that the visit of the flagbearer buttresses the seriousness his party attached to the situation, and assured the residents and victims, of the party's readiness to support them in their sick beds. When asked what the next line of action the party was going to take on the matter, he responded, "The case has been reported to the police for investigation, so we are waiting for the outcome of investigation before taking any action." He continued: "Even though the police are still investigating the case, we, as a party, will continue to put pressure on them to ensure the logical conclusion the matter." Source: The Ghanaian Chronicle