A former Minister for Foreign Affairs under the Kufuor regime, Mr Akwasi Osei Adjei has expressed his “worry, pain and anger” over the current happenings within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The former Legislator for the then Ejisu/Juaben Constituency disclosed that he was not happy when he heard of the Thank You Tour (TYT), which was to be led by Dr. Bawumia, former Flagbearer of the party, noting that constitutionally, the National Chairman of the party should be the one leading such mandate.
He noted that the TYT is not necessary at this juncture and that what the NPP needed now is “reconciliation and unification”.
Akwasi Osei Adjei, in an interview on Kumasi-based radio station, Silver FM, last Wednesday told the host, William De Bordes (Loving Cee) that party members should not go contrary to the party’s constitution, which sees the National Chairman as “supreme” and who must lead the Tour.
He further queried the organisation and funding of the TYT!, stressing that if it is not the party but an individual, the TYT must be condemned.
Mr Osei Adjei observed that Ghanaians wanted to see the NPP rectifying the mistakes that prevented Ghanaians from not going to the polls to vote, as well as why a lot of the populace voted against the party. He said “that is required of the NPP now, not a TYT”.
He explained that the party as an entity has to sit back, analyse and act on the findings and recommendations of Prof. Mike Quaye’s report which was commissioned by the party elders.
He further explained that the party needed to apologise to its members as well as seek their forgiveness to foster the reconciliation and unification noting that the masses are needed to establish a political party.
According to him, the forebears of the NPP administered with “love and unity” and not on selfish motives.
Mr Osei Adjei said Ghanaians love the NPP because of its tradition and values for which he stressed arrogance and monetisation of electioneering system is not part of issues followers used to volunteer to work for the NPP.
He indicated that the party needed to reconcile and unite, and fetch out the individuals who pioneered and supported the monetary system into the party and let them go, noting that unhealthy competition within the party should be addressed.
According to the former foreign Minister, the way forward is for the party to work and investigate the recommendation and findings of Prof. Quaye and subsequently concede its mistakes and apologise to members for not heeding their advice.
He also suggested that the electioneering process of the party must be reviewed based on Prof. Quaye’s findings and recommendations and that, all breakaway factions of the party should be called back to strengthen the reconciliation process.
From Oswald Pius Freiku, Kumasi
