DRIP equipment saga: NDC members remanded for destruction

The Awutu Bereku District Court has remanded three National Democratic Congress (NDC) members, including Cassius Oto Larbi, the party’s communication officer, for Awutu Senya West, into police custody.

The other two remanded have been identified as Robert Arthur and Bright.

They are alleged to have destroyed posters of New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and parliamentary candidate Eugene Arhin, displayed on District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) machines.

The court presided over by Her Ladyship Naomi Kuntor, adjourned the case to Monday, September 16, 2024.

Meanwhile, in a show of solidarity, NDC supporters and incumbent MP for Awutu Senya West Gizella Agbotui Tetteh gathered at the police station where the trio was being held.

Addressing a rally in Yeji, flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, condemned the placement of political posters on District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) equipment, urging Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, to direct his parliamentary candidates to remove them.

Mr Mahama emphasized that the DRIP project, funded by taxpayers’ money, should not be used for political advertising.

Below are some instances where supporters of both political parties have clashed over DRIP equipment:

Supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were captured in a free-for-all fight over the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) equipment in the Wassa East Constituency of the Western Region during the launch of the DRIP equipment.

According to eyewitnesses, both parties attempted to post their banners and posters on the new machines, leading to the clash.

In a video shared on social media, the supporters could be seen punching each other while they dragged their parties’ paraphernalia on the ground.

In another instance, supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Salaga, in the East Gonja District of the Savannah Region clashed violently following the arrival of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) equipment.

In a viral video, supporters of the two major parties were captured hurling unprintable words and throwing stones and other objects at each other.

The conflict erupted after both party supporters were asked to gather and receive the DRIP equipment from Damongo, with each side claiming ownership of the materials.

This triggered a physical confrontation, resulting in two people being seriously injured and rushed to the Salaga District Hospital, while others sustained minor injuries.