Mahama’s Boot For Boot Comment, Unfortunate – Christian Council

The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante has described as 'unfortunate' comments made by former President John Mahama on happenings at the Ayawaso By-election, Thursday.

The former President while addressing delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Adaklu Constituency of the Volta Region said:

"I want to sound a caution that NDC has a revolutionary root and when it comes to unleashing violence, no one can beat us to that. It is just that we are mindful of this country’s democracy and that is why we must be the first to respect it. That is why we are acting as a party that is docile and respecting the rule of law. But if we believe that the government cannot protect our people and we believe that the government is using its vigilante groups and illegal forces to intimidate and harass and injure our people, then we may have to advise ourselves.

We respect the Constitution of this country and the NDC is a democratic party and that’s why we abide by the rules of the Constitution. But the same Constitution says that Ghanaians should resist anybody who attempts to subvert the Constitution. When you go rampaging with forces and intimidating people when they should come out and vote, you are subverting the Constitution. And we have a right to resist you.”

John Mahama was reacting to a shooting incident that took place at La-Bawaleshie JHS polling station in the course of the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency by-election, Thursday.

The shooting led to the injuring of seven members of the NDC and a subsequent pull-out of the party from the by-elections.

The Chairman of the National Peace Council, Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Asante speaking in an interview on the Executive Breakfast Show (EBS) on Class91.3FM on Friday, noted “if President John Mahama did say what he said, then it is very unfortunate because he has been a head of state, he has been the president of the nation, he is vying for his party to make him the presidential candidate, and if the people of Ghana want him again, he could become the president of this nation. And if it is going to be ‘boot-for-boot’ for the nation to be on fire, then there is no mercy for anybody. And I think it is unfortunate that in anger, such things should be said. I pray and I want to believe that he didn’t mean it, he did it out of anger. We have to be very circumspect and under such circumstances watch the things that we say".