The Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has reaffirmed the party’s stance against signing an election peace pact unless certain six conditions are met.
The six conditions of the NDC require President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief Justice, the National Security Coordinator, and the Attorney General to all sign the pact.
Responding to the National Peace Council’s resolve to convince the NDC to commit to a peace pact ahead of the December 7 elections, the chairman said, “We will not allow that to happen again. The testicles of a fool is not crushed twice, we are now wide awake.”
While speaking to residents of Amanase in the Ayensuano constituency of the Eastern region, Mr. Asiedu Nketia said that the previous peace pact the party signed exposed its members to extrajudicial killings.
Asiedu Nketia emphasized the need for justice to accompany peace, saying, “We need peace in the country but there cannot be peace without justice.”
He added, “In every situation, we know that the first fool is not a fool”.
He used the French phrase “Premier gaou n’est pas gaou” to convey the party’s determination not to be deceived again.
The National Peace Council has expressed hope that the NDC will eventually sign the peace accord, acknowledging the party’s valid concerns.
However, Mr Asiedu Nketia remains resolute, referencing the party’s experience with a peace pact that failed to protect its members.
He emphasised that the NDC will not participate in any peace agreement until the recommendations from the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election violence probe are fully implemented.
Additionally, Mr Asiedu Nketia called for the prosecution of those responsible for violence during the 2020 elections and other associated irregularities.
The party is also demanding an investigation into the missing IT equipment from the Electoral Commission’s warehouse.