The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is calling for the dismissal of the Ashanti Regional Minister Kofi Opoku Maanu. Their call follows the regional minister’s admonition to National Democratic Congress (NDC) sympathisers to “slap” opponents of the ruling party because the NDC does not wish evil for any of its opponents. Mr Opoku Maanu has in an interview with Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday expressed apologies and asked for forgiveness. General Secretary of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, says Mr Opoku Maanu's comments were only an admonition to the party to "organise ourselves [NDC] well so that [the party] can crash the opposition." "If anybody says this in the contest of a political rally, he is talking about defeating the opposition at polls; it's not just about physically slapping people." But speaking to Joy News Editor, Matilda Asante Asiedu later in the day, communications director of the NPP, Kwaku Kwarteng, said Mr Opoku Maanu’s comments could incite people to violence. In an earlier press statement by the party, Mr Kwarteng described the regional minister’s comments as criminal, dangerous and morally reprehensible. Mr Kwarteng said the President must sack the regional minister whilst the police ensure his arrest and prosecution. The NPP communications director said Mr Opoku Maanu’s apology cannot be taken because his statements had serious implications for the security. Mr Opoku Maanu, who is the chairman of the Regional Security Council, in his earlier interview with Joy FM, was remorseful, saying: “I’ll be the last person to advocate for warfare of any type and having listened to this myself, I must say I really feel sorry.” Meanwhile the vice president of the Christian Council of Ghana, Rev. Steve Asante, says Mr. Poku Manu should be forgiven. “We all make mistakes especially when we are emotionally charged at conferences,” Mr Asante indicated. Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana