NDC, NPP claim Akwatia casualties

Baba Jamal of NDC (right) and Dr. Kofi Asare of NPP (left) With just two days to go for the Akwatia Parliamentary re-run, tension is mounting as the two major political parties, the NDC and the NPP make claims of being at the receiving end of violent attacks. There have been reports of increasing tensionin the area for the past week although the police have assured the security of voters. The New Patriotic Party General Secretary, Nana Ohene Ntow Sunday morning claimed he was badly assaulted by supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress while police officers looked on. He claims he bled profusely from the nose after suffering beatings by supporters of the NDC. Nana Ohene Ntow said he was driving into the Akwatia township to help the NPP's campaign when he encountered a barrier mounted by NDC supporters with hundreds of policemen around. “When I saw the police I thought everything must be under control, I stopped at the barrier, next thing, the door of my car had been forced opened and someone hit me right in the nose. Right now as I speak to you I am just bleeding all over the place.” He said people were banging on his car, while the policemen present just watched unconcerned. “I had to get out of my car and scream at the police before one person stepped forward to try and push back the crowd. For me that is a big shame for policing in this country today,” he regretted. The NPP General Secretary said he was yet to report the matter to the police “because even moving around is a problem.” The NDC Parliamentary candidate, Baba Jamal also claimed supporters of the NPP last night inflicted matchete wounds on some of his supporters. He said a report had been lodged with the police. The Eastern Regional Police Commander, Andoh Kofie confirming the disturbances, told Joy News the police are unable to investigate Nana Ohene Ntow’s allegations because he had not yet lodged a complaint with them. Myjoyonline.com/Ghana