The National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has expressed his frustration with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for opting not to sign a peace declaration ahead of the upcoming elections.

Boakye criticized this decision as reckless, arguing that the NDC's rationale does not align with the goal of ensuring a fair and peaceful election process.

The criticism follows an announcement by NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, who stated that the party would not participate in any peace declaration initiatives.

During a segment on Joy News’ PM Express, Asiedu Nketia questioned the effectiveness of such agreements, noting that previous pacts had yielded minimal results.

“Signing a peace declaration doesn’t mean anything to the party, as previous pacts have not yielded any real results,” he said.

In response, Mr Boakye, speaking on Joy FM’s News Night on Thursday, August 15, said, “It is unfortunate that the NDC does not want to sign.

“Frankly speaking, I believe this reckless statement should be condemned by all, as it stokes unnecessary tension.”

Mr. Boakye also highlighted that similar peace initiatives have been attempted several times before, citing the 2008 election when the NPP, despite signing a peace accord, lost the election.

“In 2012, we were in opposition, signed the accord, and lost again. The same happened in 2016. Even then, during an important occasion organized by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, all presidential candidates, including Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, signed the peace pact. So, what has changed now to prompt such a reckless statement from the NDC’s National Chairman?” he questioned.

He further argued that if he were to enumerate all the violent incidents linked to the NDC, he wouldn't finish within the time allocated for the program.

“Chereponi is a clear example. The fact that we have experienced pockets of violence does not justify the NDC’s refusal to sign the peace pact. This stance suggests they are laying the groundwork to reject the election results because they know they are going to lose,” he asserted.

Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, however, defended the NDC's decision, arguing that preventing violence demands proactive measures rather than mere symbolic gestures.

“If you allow violence to brew, it will happen whether you sign a declaration or not. That’s why, more than a year ago, I started talking about the need to remove the building blocks for a violent election,” he explained.

Mr. Boakye remains confident that the upcoming election will be peaceful, fair, and credible, and that the NPP will emerge victorious.

“Look, if Hon. Bryan Acheampong is confident that the NPP party will win this election and some people want to spin his words, that’s their problem. And you expect Bryan Acheampong on a campaign platform to say we’re going to lose?” he quizzed.

He also supported Mr. Acheampong’s controversial remark, where Acheampong claimed that the NPP would employ any necessary measures to secure victory in the 2024 election.