Ursula: We Won�t Countenance Any Verbal Diatribe Against Nana Addo

NPP Parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma South, Ursula Owusu, has served notice that in as much as the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is all for issues-based campaign devoid of invectives, they will not tolerate any verbal diatribe directed at especially their flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and will reply in equal measure to any vituperative launched against him. Commenting on the near fracas that ensued at the premises of Asempa FM between NPP and NDC supporters, Ursula Owusu stressed that �we (NPP) will strive to do clean issues based campaign...but if you insult Nana Addo, we will also hit back squarely. As for that one it is not negotiable.� Tempers fled in the studios of the Accra-based radio station on Wednesday when the NPP panelist, Hopeson Adoye, accused the host of �Eko sii sen�, Bobie Ansah, of being bias against him for his persistent interjections during his submissions. This infuriated the host who subsequently ordered Hopeson�s exit from the studio culminating in NPP supporters besieging the radio station. Adoye, confirmed to Kwami Sefa Kayi in an interview on Peace FM�s morning show that when it became obvious that he (Bobie) had had enough of him (Adoye), he (Bobie) told him to the face that �if you cannot do sensible debate then walk out,� but he (Adoye) stood his grounds and refused to budge. Recounting the incident, Adoye said the host promptly cut off his (Adoye�s) microphone, abruptly halted the show to take a commercial break and allegedly requested that the security personnel kick out the NPP activist. Contributing to discussions on �Kokrokoo�, the seasoned Lawyer and Gender Advocate admonished public speakers and members of the media to be circumspect in their utterances and to always have it at the back of their minds that Ghana comes first. She also accused Bobie Ansah of sometimes descending into the arena of conflicts when moderating shows. ��We have a great responsibility as public speakers and as media men to remember that Ghana is more important than the various political parties we belong to. We will not allow Nana Addo to be used as punching bag as was done in 2008. We want growth and discourse that will be void of insults and lies. Ghana is more important than NPP or NDC or CPP or whatever and so those involved should watch and be careful but Multi-media has a decision to make...The kind of attitude Bobie he has been exhibiting;...he behaves as if he has something personal with Akufo Addo, descending into the arena of conflicts�� she said. The Vice-President of FIDA-Int also pointed out that there is the need to separate the private life of a politician from what he or she does in mainstream politicking. �We should be circumspect in our speech and focus on selling our message instead of vilifications; without getting personal. What has someone�s personal issues got to do with his campaign. I don�t know which man will boldly say that ever since he got married he has been faithful to his wife, if there is such a person, he should stand up for all of us to applaud him�� she added.