Following reported violence in the Odododiodio Constituency, the National Peace Council has asked the leadership of both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to employ legal means to address their political differences.

It noted in a press release dated October 29, 2020, that the two major parties agreed to eschew election-related unrest when they subscribed to a Roadmap and Code Conduct and are, therefore, expected to adhere to its canons.

To this end, the Peace Council is reminding the 2 main political parties of their pledge and have asked them to disband their party vigilante groups, prohibit the ownership, hiring and utilization of such groups and cooperate with state agencies and stakeholders in dissolving such groups.

“Any person who takes part in any vigilante activity, acts as a member or subscribes to a membership of a vigilante group, contravenes provisions of the Act 999, and therefore, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than ten years and not more than fifteen years” the statement further recommends.

Additionally, the Council advised that both Parliamentary candidates of the Odododiodio Constituency; Nii Lante Bannerman (NPP), and Edward Nii Lante Vanderpuijie (NDC) show leadership by availing themselves to dialogue to settle their scores.

Supporters of the NPP and NDC in a video circulating on social media were seen throwing bottles, hurling stones and insults at each other in the Odododiodio constituency on Sunday, October 25.

Consequentially, the Monitoring Committee of the National Peace Council, set up to monitor the compliance of the parties with the Code of Conduct, held an emergency meeting to discuss, analyse and recommend mechanisms to curb the occurrence of such threats in the build-up to the December 2020 elections and beyond.

It called on the Ghana Police Service to be more proactive in responding to potential threats to election security, asking the IGP and the Police Service for speedy investigations and arrest of all perpetrators to serve as a deterrence to other persons with commensurate plans.

The National Peace Council further urged all Ghanaians not to resort to violence in settling political differences.

"The National Peace Council reminds all citizens especially, the youth to show patriotism and zealousness in building a peaceful nation. The future of Ghana is in your hands and you must safeguard this future by avoiding violence of every nature" it reads.

The release is signed by Chairman of the Committee, Maulvi Mohammed Bin Salih.