Mahama is ignorant of his own party's history - Prof. Oquaye

The Chairman of the Constitutional and Legal Committee of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Pro. Mike Ocquaye has lambasted the President of the Republic of Ghana over his comments regarding unity within the elephant family.

President John Dramani Mahama addressing party supporters during their campaign launch on Sunday described the NPP as an intolerant party.

According to President Mahama, the presidential candidate of the NPP has failed to unite his political party.

''….The mark of a leader is one that is able to unite his supporters behind him. They are now quick to commend people who hurl insults at me and my government. Even the former President Kufuor has not been spared the brunt of their attacks.

“They are even quick to threaten people who differ with the opinions of the leader with physical harm. It is clear that they have already won an Olympic gold medal in insults,” President Mahama stated.

But responding to the comments, the former Second Deputy Speaker of Ghana's Parliament said, President Mahama is unqualified to make any comment on the unity within the NPP.

Speaking in an interview with Kwame Tutu on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he said he does not understand why the flagbearer of the NDC will focus on the NPP and its unity, when the NDC is noted for the treatment they meted out to Obed Asamoah, Frances Asiam and Bede Zeden some years ago.

According him, the suspensions within the party was done in respect to the law and rule of natural justice as against the intolerant and militant form of leadership in the NDC.

He said the NPP is capable of discipline but the President has failed to discipline his own appointees for being corrupt. He posited that President Mahama only reshuffles his appointees instead of disciplining them.

''The president has not been able to discipline one person because corruption has embroiled his administration...We [NPP] are capable of disciplining and we did what we did in respect to the law and the rule of natural justice. Has President Mahama forgotten what they did to Dr. Obed Asamoah and Dr. Josiah Ayeh? I'm not sure President Mahama knows his own party history, because if he does, he will not talk the way he did.''

Prof. Mike Ocquaye stated that the NDC do not respect the rule of law and natural justice hence it was embarrassing for the president to make such a comment.

In his view, the president goofed with his statement and wondered why he would go to a program without a prepared speech.

''We should take Ghana serious. I am very serious with my comments. A president of the Republic should go to a congress and speak honourably. A president must be seen to be a serious man of this Republic. A president must go with a prepared speech; so after he delivers his speech, it can be used for reference. The president went to the campaign grounds without a prepared speech. He was speaking improperly. This is not done. This country must be taken more seriously. Come and tell us your party people and for that matter the people of Ghana what you have done with the loans you contracted and how you are fighting corruption, you refused to do it.''

Prof. Mike Ocquaye said there were better things President Mahama could have addressed instead of focusing on the NPP.

''It is unfortunate that President Mahama attacked the NPP.'' Prof. Mike Ocquaye concluded that the NPP knows all those the NDC is using to foment trouble in the party and in due time they will address that.