Is the New Patriotic Party in tragic times?

The last few months appear to have been some of the most tragic months for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during which time the party recorded some very embarrassing moments and culminating in a disagreeable Supreme Court Judgment that dashed the hopes of many supporters.

The 2012 flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, led his party into the December 7 general elections but lost to John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and headed straight to the Supreme Court to seek redress as a believer in the rule of law. The decision of the National Council of the NPP to go to court quelled down the mounting political tension.

Whilst the case was ongoing and being beamed live on television, the NPP chalked some negatives to the consternation of some of its followers. First, a Founding Member of the NPP, Dr. Charles Wereko-Brobby, took the star witness of the petitioners, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to the cleaners by doubting his competence to represent the NPP in the dock in the landmark case.

His assessment of Dr. Bawumiah was met with stiff criticism culminating in his suspension by the NPP. NPP’s new kid on the block, Sammy Awuku, who is a Deputy Director of Communications of the party was hauled before the apex court to answer charges of contempt. Fortunately, he escaped incarceration but was slapped with a ban.

Then came the case of an NPP activist and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Searchlight newspaper, Ken Kuranchie who was sentenced to 10 days imprisonment, after the Supreme Court found guilty of criminal contempt. He was in the dock with an NDC man, but he had a lighter sentence of 3 days.

The penultimate arrived when the Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, General Secretary of the NPP together with another NPP activist, Hopeson Adorye were hauled before the court and chastised live on television and found guilty of criminal contempt.

As a fall out of the embarrassment Sir John suffered in the hands of the Supreme Court judges, another NPP firebrand and a Founding Member of the party, Dr Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe called for his demotion and openly asked the embattled General Secretary to resign from his post.

The call by Dr. Nyaho Tamakoe made things go haywire as party loyalists traded open accusations at each other. Then off course the famous Arthur Kennedy and his opinion on the All-Die-be Die Mantra.

Will the party survive this turbulence as the national delegates congress comes up, can they pull themselves together to build the strong opposition Nana Akufo-Addo mentioned of in his acceptance of the Supreme Court ruling on the election petition?