A scheduled press conference at the Ashanti Regional office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) turned chaotic on Friday (6 December), when a group of individuals believed to be party thugs stormed the premises.
The incident occurred while Joseph Yamin, the party’s National Organizer, was addressing the media on pressing issues within the region ahead of the December polls.
He had alleged that the ruling party had recruited some 200 party thugs clothed with military uniform to rig the elections in the Ashanti Region.
But these men said the allegation only derails the party’s drive towards a successful national campaign adding that this was not the time to incite violence ahead of tomorrow’s polls.
Correspondent Jonathan Ofori reported that the thugs abruptly entered the venue, disrupted proceedings, and demanded the immediate cessation of the press conference.
In the ensuing commotion, journalists were reportedly sacked from the venue, and some of the party executives present were locked in the office.
“It was spontaneous”, Jonathan reported. “Even the party’s regional communications officer Abbas Nurudeen was not spared. He was denied entry”.
“They demanded action from their executives as far as the subject matter was concerned and that the press conference was needless. Some of us had to take cover. In fact microphones and other equipment were damaged”, he added.
Attempts by regional executives to restore calm proved futile as the group insisted on having their grievances addressed before any official activity could continue.
The chaotic scene shocked Joseph Yamin and his entourage as they remained helpless about the situation.
