"I do not hate Akufo-Addo" - Paul Afoko

The National chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Paul Afoko and the party's General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong both received standing ovations and thunderous applause during a well attended emergency meeting of the NPP UK branch at the Dominion Center, Woodgreen, London.

In their presentations, the two gentlemen assured party members of their commitment to ensure that the party wins the 2016 elections with whoever becomes flagbearer.

"I do not hate Nana Addo or any of the flagbearer hopefuls and will not do anything to endanger our collective victory. All I insist on, is building a strong independent party from the grassroot through to national; a machine is strong enough to deliver us our victory and sustain that victory. That is my sworn responsibility and I intend to see it through," Mr Afoko said.

He lamented the recent happenings in the party and members were convinced that they were a result of unnecessary mistrust, and suspicion coupled with a certain resistance to improving on the old ways of doing things.

In their comments, most members encouraged the leadership to remain steadfast in their vision but advised they should reach out more and explain these things in the face of the propaganda war that has been waged against them.

On his part, the General Secretary reminded members of the vision and ideals of the party and called on all members to be circumspect in their utterances.

"We must all have confidence in our leadership. I ask for that same trust and confidence in whoever becomes our flagbearer," Kwabena Agyepong said.

"A myriad of problems face Ghanaians under the mismanagement of John Mahama, why must we be drawn into petty internal squabbles neglecting the more serious issues of national governance that confront us?" he queried.

Mr. Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong are in the UK as guests of the Conservative party. Both men reportedly made a strong case for the NPP during the meeting of leaders from around the world. Asked about the direct benefits of the meeting, Mr Agyepong said the world needed to hear the NPP story, he also added that new alliances were made and the party will benefit from training, capacity building and technology transfer soon.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the gentlemen held talks with personalities such as Former President of Maldives, H.E. Muhammed Nasheed, Former Cabinet Minister Kenneth Clarke, Director of Campaign Darren Mott and many others.