Educationist and spokesperson for Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Mr. Opoku Mensah, has called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to emulate the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) recent gesture of solidarity by leaving the Akwatia parliamentary seat uncontested for the ruling party. Speaking on Focus FM’s Teknokrat show hosted by Sika Audrey Dzifa, Mr. Mensah described the NPP’s decision to stay out of the by-election in another constituency following the passing of a sitting MP as a commendable act aimed at maintaining peace and honouring the legacy of the late legislator.
“If you ask me for my personal opinion, I think it’s the best decision they have taken in terms of solidarity. I will go with them,” he said.
“The NDC should go for their seat, and I will also expect them to do the same for the NPP in Akwatia where the MP also passed on.” Mr. Mensah further noted that while by-elections remain an important democratic process to fill vacant parliamentary seats, they have often been marred by violence and tension.
He stressed the need for political actors to replace hostility with dialogue and education. “If we look at the other skirmishes around by-elections, the violence, etc. what we need to do is deepen conversation and education, and ensure that we are all subject to the rules of the game,” he added.