BAWUMIA CALLS FOR CALM IN TAMALE (PAGE 16)

THE Vice-Presidential condidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called for calm in Tamale and advised the youth in the area not to allow themselves to be used by others for their selfish interest.
‘‘Our main enemy in this area is poverty, ignorance and underdevelopment which we must team up to fight, and not among ourselves,’’ he indicated.
Dr Bawumia said there was no need to shed blood over the election, since democracy was about choice and trading of ideas to win people who shared similar beliefs to one’s side.
He also noted that at this time of the year when the Muslim world had began their fasting obligation, it was important for the people, majority of who are Muslims, to have a sober reflection over their actions and behaviours that were contrary to the teaching of Islam.
The Vice-Presidential hopeful was addressing his maiden press conference in Tamale yesterday at the end of his tour of the three northern regions.
Dr Bawumia, who intended to round off his campaign with courtesy calls on the chiefs, religious and opinion leaders in the metropolis, however had to call off the programme following the disturbances in the area.
The disturbances began moments after he had delivered his address at a rally at the Tamale Jubilee Park. Some supporters of the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) clashed in town resulting in arson and destruction of motorbikes, party sheds and offices.
There were also sporadic shootings at some parts of the Tamale Central Constituency. The situation has since been brought under control.
While the NPP has accused their opponents of starting the violence, the NDC has also put the blame on the former.
Dr Bawumia described the situation as ‘‘very painful’’ and that ‘‘this period presents us with a golden opportunity to the youth from both sides to move this area forward. Conflicts do not help’’.
He said northern Ghana was lacking in development and that it needed peace for accelerated growth. “It is important that peace and stability reigns in this region and the country as a whole,” he said.
The NPP running mate therefore appealed to the people, particularly his party supporters, against violence even if they were provoked.
He, however, called on the security agencies to arrest and bring the perpetrators of the disturbances to book.
Touching on his just-ended campaign tour of the three regions, Dr Bawumia described the rounds as very successful.
‘‘What we noticed on our rounds is that, support for the NPP is growing in the north,’’ he stated. According to him, the overwhelming welcome he received in Tamale on Sunday was an indication of the party’s growing popularity in the area.