PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE ON THE ATTACK ON THE CONVOY OF PRESIDENT JOHN D. MAHAMA
Preamble
We, the members of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, have learnt with shock and disbelief reports of the recent attack on the convoy of President John Dramani Mahama at Asotwe, near Ejisu and wish to condemn this act in no uncertain terms. The reports indicate that the convoy of the President was pelted with stones and other missiles as it made its way from Piase to Ejisu, leading to some of the people in the convoy sustaining injuries.
Why attack the President’s Convoy?
We cannot fathom why a group of Ghanaians will attack the convoy of the President in this manner and wish to call on the perpetrators of this act to be ashamed of themselves, repent of their sins and seek forgiveness from God. This act is despicable and shameful not only because it dents our image as peaceful and tolerant people but particularly because it represents an attack on the sovereignty of the land whose symbol the President represents. Therefore, it ought to be condemned in no uncertain terms by all.
We are pleased to learn that the Police have arrested some alleged perpetrators of this shameful act. We pray that all those involved and/or behind it will be arrested and brought to book sooner than later. The full rigours of the law must be applied in this instance while steps must be taken to deal with all people who visit violent attack on others in the name of politics.
Hon. Kennedy’s Agyepong’s Verbal Attack on the EC Chairperson
We join numerous individuals and groups who have already condemned the unwarranted verbal attack on the person and office of the Electoral Commission Chair by Hon. Kennedy Agyepong, MP for Assin Central, and call on him to apologise unreservedly to Mrs. Charlotte Osei. People in high offices such as Parliamentarians are expected to be decorous and measured in their public utterances to give good example to the youth and so when such persons betray the confidence and responsibility reposed in them by Ghanaians in this manner, it becomes very sad and worrying.
We, like others who have spoken before us, also consider the verbal attacks on Mrs. Osei by Mr. Agyepong as distasteful, offensive and abusive and should be condemned by all. We trust in the ability of Ghana’s Parliament and the leadership of the New Patriotic Party to bring Hon. Kennedy Agyepong to order.
As we inch closer to elections later this year, we wish to call on all Ghanaians, especially, politicians and their supporters, as we have done several times in past statements, to preach peace in word and deed and refrain from unwarranted verbal, physical and psychological attacks on perceived opponents. We want to repeat for the umpteenth time that we should not take the peace we enjoy for granted. Acts such as what has happened in Asotwe and unguarded statements from people who do not cherish peace have the potential of sparking violence. Therefore, we must be cautious of what we say and do in the name of politics in these remaining days towards elections.
Conclusion
As we celebrate our 56th Republic Day Anniversary, we wish to invite all Ghanaians to reflect soberly on our individual and collective contribution to the development of our country. We can make our nation great and strong, peaceful and prosperous only when we THINK GHANA FIRST and work hard to promote its well-being and image wherever we find ourselves. We can do it and so let us rise up and build our country again.
Long live the Republic of Ghana! Long live all Ghanaians! Long live our motherland.
May God bless our homeland Ghana and make our nation great and strong.
SIGNED
MOST REV. JOSEPH OSEI-BONSU
BISHOP OF KONONGO-MAMPONG &
PRSEIDENT, GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE