In a press statement issued by Joyce Bawah Mogtari, spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign, the team strongly condemned the actions of the Chief Executive of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA).
The TMA Chief Executive was involved in the dismantling of a billboard promoting former President John Dramani Mahama, which had been legally erected by Alliance Media in Tema.
“This act is unacceptable and constitutes a needless provocative attempt to raise the political temperature in the country.”
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign
Alliance Media, a registered Ghanaian advertising company, had acquired the necessary permissions to mount Out-of-Home (OOH) and Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) sites across the country. They consistently pay the required annual fees to the TMA and other local assemblies.
The Mahama Campaign stressed that it was entirely unacceptable for the TMA Chief Executive to remove a legally installed billboard, which the campaign had rented and paid for.
The Mahama Campaign expected Alliance Media to pursue legal action against the TMA for this infringement.
Furthermore, they issued a stern warning to the TMA boss and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), stating that such provocative acts, which could lead to political clashes and violence, are detrimental to the growth of Ghana’s democracy.
“We have noted a similar act in the Ablekuma North constituency, where the NPP blocked a billboard mounted by the NDC parliamentary candidate.
“Despite the NPP’s unwarranted provocation in various parts of the country, we note that institutions like the National Peace Council and religious and civil society organizations are watching.”
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign
The Mahama Campaign emphasized that such acts would no longer be tolerated. They cautioned that if these provocations continue, they would be forced to instruct their members to take necessary measures to prevent such incidents across the country.
“We urge the NPP to campaign peacefully and respect the rights of others to advertise their political candidates and messages. Violence and destruction of property have no place in our political discourse.”
Joyce Bawah Mogtari, spokesperson for the Mahama 2024 Campaign
The Mahama Campaign’s warning comes amid rising tensions as the country gears up for the December elections. They highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and decorum in political discourse, as echoed by former President Mahama in his recent opinion piece.
In his article, President Mahama stressed the need for “peace and decorum in our political discourse, especially in the run-up to high-stakes elections such as those we face in December this year.”
The former president’s call for a peaceful campaign season is a crucial reminder of the potential consequences of political provocation and violence.
The dismantling of Mahama’s billboard by the TMA is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader pattern of actions aimed at undermining the opposition’s visibility and campaign efforts. The Mahama Campaign noted that in Ablekuma North, the NPP had similarly blocked a billboard put up by the NDC parliamentary candidate. Such actions, they argued, are deliberate attempts to stifle political competition and intimidate opposition supporters.
The Mahama Campaign team’s press statement underscores the urgency of addressing these provocations to prevent further escalation. They called on national institutions, including the National Peace Council, religious bodies, and civil society organizations, to take note of these developments and ensure that all political parties adhere to the principles of peaceful campaigning.
The campaign team urged its members to remain vigilant and report any acts of provocation or violence to the appropriate authorities. They emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the upcoming elections are conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner.
The Mahama Campaign’s press statement is a significant appeal for political maturity and responsibility. It highlights the need for all parties to engage in peaceful and respectful campaigning, ensuring that the upcoming elections are a true reflection of the democratic values that Ghana upholds.
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