The South African Council of Elders Chair for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Benjamin Kofi Quashie, has shared his perspectives on the recent violence marring the Council of State elections, describing it as very unfortunate.

Appearing as a panel on Joy Prime's Newspaper Review on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, Mr Quarshie noted that the elections of the Council of State ought not to be political, but unfortunately, "we've had situations where the NDC or the NPP have claimed victory in such elections", he revealed, pointing out that it's incumbent on the citizenry to look at their roles, their selection, and maybe amend our Constitution to reflect our governance structure.

According to him, the current procedure of electing its members affronts the rationale the framers of our Constitution had for the body. It's a body that advises the president on key issues, and tainting that body with partisanship is abhorrent to our Constitution and needs to be changed. "We need to revisit the Council of State issues to ascertain how we can remove the politics to focus on national issues", he stressed. 

Touching on the NDC being blamed for the violence associated with the Council of State elections, he disagreed, labeling the NPP's behaviour as double standards. He pointed out that when wrong things happen, it is constructive to condemn them, not blame the NDC.

He alluded to the fact that, during the NPP administration, Mr. Agyenim Boateng, Dr. Ayine, and others had their homes invaded. Similar things happened today, and the NDC is being blamed. To Mr. Quashie, that is unacceptable.

"When the NPP does anything, it's okay, but once it's done by the NDC, it's wrong. Anything that benefits them is right, but once it doesn't, it's wrong", he pointed out to the NPP. 

Quashie observed, in unison with the NPP, that they should condemn all acts that offend our Constitution, and that is how a country ought to be built and developed. He adds that there are a lot of things some NDC members, including himself, do not condone and must be spoken against.

"But to pick and choose which actions to condemn just because it suits you cannot be encouraged moving forward. The NPP needs to stop that posturing", he underscored.