March for Justice: We aren’t happy Akufo-Addo didn’t receive petition personally – Peter Otokunor
Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has bemoaned the inability of President Akufo-Addo to personally receive the petition presented by the party’s youth wing at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, July 6.
Peter Otokunor said on Joy FM’s TopStory, that although their mission of presenting the petition was accomplished, they were not happy that it was not received by the President.
“We cannot be happy with the assurances that we got because we didn’t get the President. Having the President giving us his assurances would have been gratifying. But the Deputy Chief of Staff took the petition and he gave us the assurance that he was going to pass it on but the other additions he made, could not pass perhaps for speaking on behalf of the President. We want to see action.”
The NDC youth wing marched on the streets of Accra today to raise concerns regarding the “growing levels of insecurity, lawlessness, and impunity under the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government” and the issue of youth unemployment.
Upon arrival at the Jubilee House, Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Operations, Emmanuel Adumua-Bossman received the petition on behalf of the President and assured the protestors that their concerns will be addressed.
“On behalf of the President, I have received this petition. I listened to the articulation, they contained some democratic issues and issues that border on the rule of law. I am sure the appropriate authorities will be detailed and directed to do that which is possible and necessary under the dictates of our constitution. Thank you so much for coming and may God bless us all and our homeland Ghana,” he stated.
In its petition to the Presidency, the National Democratic Congress demanded the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Emile Short Commission in respect of the violence at Ayawaso West Wuogon during the 2016 by-election. They also demanded payment of compensation to the victims as well as prosecution of culprits.
“Victims of acts of violence from Ejura, Ablekuma Central, Odododiodioo, Banda etc must all not be denied justice. Make provisions towards providing decent jobs for the teeming youth of the country through proper structural economic reforms and business support for enterprises of young people. Ensure the safety and security of all Ghanaians,” the group added.
The Youth Wing’s petition to the Parliament House was received jointly by the Majority and Minority leaders, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Haruna Iddrisu.
This was due to the absence of Speaker Alban Bagbin, who is in Nigeria on official duty.
According to Mr Iddrisu, there will be a full debate after the Speaker of the House is apprised of the issues raised in the petition.
“Thank you very much for presenting the petition on behalf of the youth of Ghana. Our assurance to you is that Parliament will not fail the people of Ghana in demanding that right be done to safeguard the peace and stability of our country. Essentially, the unruly behaviour of the security agencies is not acceptable anywhere. We will look into it. Where it requires that we rid the security agencies of those concerns raised, Parliament will not hesitate in doing that,” he added.
Source: Ghana News