Kufuor did not insult Fantis NPP

THE Central and Brong Ahafo regional branches of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have denied that the flagbearer of the party, Mr. J.A. Kufuor, described the Vice-President and flagbearer of the NDC, Professor John Atta Mills, as “ a Fanti concert man who does not deserve to go to the castle.”

A statement issued in Cape Coast on Wednesday and signed by the Central regional Secretary, Mr. Albert Essuman, described the allegation reportedly made by Madam Faustina Nelson, a vice-chairperson of the NDC, as “ill conceived and designed to quench the fire and support that Mr. Kufuor has lit in the region through his recent tour.

“Obviously Ms Nelson does not know the gentleman called Mr. Kufuor who speaks and acts with unparalleled circumspection,” it noted

The statement said “as much as the NPP would like to occupy the seat of power, Mr. Kufuor will be the last person to use unfair and foul language to achieve his purpose”

It pointed out that mainly because the Vice-President, Prof. John Atta Mills, comes from the Central Region, the NDC has of late used the region as a special base for attacks on the NPP and its flagbearer in an attempt to win the support of the people.

The statement noted that the NPP would always abide by the code of ethics endorsed by the Inter-Party Advisory Committee which stresses on “politics of decency and propriety,” adding that the party would not allow itself to be drawn into the politics of abuse, lies and deceit.

The statement called on the government to stop intimidating people who voice out their grievances and find lasting solutions to the economic crisis, adding that “a government that thrives on falsehood and the impoverishment of the people only lives to reckon with the true anger of the people.”

In a related development, the Brong Ahafo Regional Secretariat of the party, in a statement signed by Mr. Kwame Twumasi- Awuah, Regional Youth Organiser, stated that the party did not hold a rally at Bechem and that the allegation that Mr. Kufuor made the remark against Fantis and Professor Atta Mills at such a rally could therefore not be true.

“The tour, which was very successful and has changed the fortunes of the NPP in the region, has sent the NDC and its activists panicking. This has made them resort to a campaign of lies to discredit the enviable NPP and its flagbearer,’’ the NPP stated.

“It is an indisputable fact that since Mr. Kufuor emerged on the political scene, he has conducted his affairs with great care and maturity and this has made him win the hearts of Ghanaians,” the party branch asserted, adding that Mr Kufuor is perceived as being the one who could redeem the country, hence the alleged attempt to destroy him.

It urged the NDC to “desist from tribal politics and lies intended to destroy other people and polarise the country [because] such acts would not help promote a healthy atmosphere for the growth of democracy in Ghana but will tear the country apart.”

The statement recalled the contributions Fantis have made to the development of Ghana and said “ It is therefore absurd for Mr. Kufuor to look down upon Fantis as is being alleged by the NDC leading members. The NPP does not look down upon any tribe in Ghana.”