Fight back if you are attacked - Portuphy tells NDC members

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Kofi Portuphy has called on his members to retaliate in equal measure when they are attacked by members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in Accra Portuphy said the members of the NDC have been calm so far hoping the attacks will cease.

“I am the leader of the party; I’m saying if they attack them they should defend themselves while seeking police protection. They should not cross their arms for NPP people to butcher them to death.”

When quizzed if this will not erupt into violent clashes in some areas he asked if it was right to also do nothing while members of the NDC were attacked even to the point of death.

“In other words you are saying that if they attack me I shouldn’t defend myself?”

He called on the international community to take particular note of what is happening so they do not blame the NDC if they start retaliating in equal measure after all the recent attacks by the NPP.

“We want the international community particularly to take note so that when there is one act of retaliation by any member of the NDC so they turn round and say NDC is the cause.”

He commended the police and other security agencies for stepping in immediately reports of attacks are reported to them.

“I have commended the police for rising up to the challenge that they are doing well in bringing things to bear. Our people have reported several incidents to the police.”

After the declaration of Nana Addo as the president-elect, some members of the NPP have been attacking members of the NDC.

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The police had earlier warned the NPP supporters that they will be arrested and prosecuted if found engaging in such unlawful acts.

A statement signed by Communications Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah said supporters of the NPP are attacking Government installations across the country.

"President Mahama has accordingly directed the security agencies to deploy across the country and arrest any person(s) caught vandalising government property or attacking innocent Ghanaians," the statement added.

The NPP also in a strongly worded statement condemned the violent attacks of political opponents by its supporters.

The statement, signed by the party's acting general secretary John Boadu, called on the Police to arrest the perpetrators while urging its supporters to desist from the terrorising opponents.

It said: "We condemn in no uncertain terms these distasteful occurrences, if true, and wish to state that NPP will not condone or sanction such actions.”