The Member of Parliament for Okere, Dan Kweku Botwe, is asking whether Ghanaians expect members and supporters of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to sacrifice their lives as a result of violent elections in the name of peace. According to him, the party’s supporters have always been attacked at various election venues, sometimes at the full glare of security personnel who refuse to intervene or offer protection to them. Contributing to discussions on Peace FM’s morning show Kokrokoo, Mr Botwe recounted an incident in the Volta Region during the 2000 general elections where university students were sent to act as polling agents for the NPP. Those students, he claimed, were branded as terrorists who had invaded the region and were bussed back to Accra by the police administration. Mr Botwe also recalled violent incidents that rocked various by-elections at Akwatia, Chereponi and Atiwa . He blamed the police administration for not taking concrete steps to bring to book those who perpetrated such acts. Nana Addo-Dankwa Akkufo-Addo, NPP flagbearer who has come under attack for his infamous “All Die be Die Comment” is concerned about the safety of his supporters, the Okere MP insisted, pointing out that that was the essence of Nana’s exhortation to his supporters to fight back and defend themselves whenever they are attacked. Dan Botwe admitted however that Nana Addo could have made his point without the “All Die be Die” comment. He asked whether his party’s supporters could be able to control and restrain themselves at all times in the face of confrontation by their opponents. “…[for] how long should these things happen,” he asked adding, “…memma wo mmbo me nsoa eye ntokwa?” to wit: is it wrong to stop you from bullying me? He condemned what he terms the hypocrisy of some Ghanaians who claim to want peace but do nothing to stop those who threaten the peace. “Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who should have acted, the indifference of those who should have known better and the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most, that has made it possible for evil to triumph,” the NPP MP quoted former King of Ethiopia Haile Selassie. “…what are we talking about? enko so saa, enko so, mma yenka ho hwee because yepe asomdwee, se NPP fuo no mogya no gu dea enye hwee yen mma no ngu because yepe asomdwee, what is the meaning of that?” He again emphasised that Nana Addo has not asked anybody to fight but that the NPP has a duty to protect its members and supporters. He added that "we are not preaching violence, we are preaching that the laws should work and those who have ears should hear." “There is a limit to everything and that is the warning that is coming and let people sit up and listen. “We are not preaching violence…but I know of a saying that if you have nothing to die for, you have nothing to live for”, Dan Botwe concluded. Story by Dorcas Efe Mensah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana