NEC will decide Sir John's fate this week - Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has disclosed that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), will meet this week to consider whether or not, to punish the party's General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie also known as Sir John.

Speaking on Badwam on Adom TV Monday, Mr. J.A. Kufuor, who is also a member of the NPP's NEC, condemned the behavior of Sir John, describing the punishment handed him by the Supreme Court as appropriate.


The party's Steering Committee is expected to set a date for the NEC meeting on Monday, August 19, 2013.


Some senior party members, including Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe are calling on Sir John to resign his post as General Secretary of the NPP, for bringing embarrassment onto the party.


This is after Sir John was last week convicted of criminal contempt and sentenced to a Gh¢5,000 fine by the nine-member panel of justices at the Supreme Court adjudicating the 2012 presidential election petition.


He was also ordered to sign a bond of good behaviour for six months or serve a jail term of six months in default.

According to Mr. J.A. Kufuor, the NEC will deliberate on the conduct of Sir John and based on the position taken by the majority, it will decide whether to let him step down or keep his position as the party's General Secretary.


He described the punishment handed his party's General Secretary as appropriate adding that, Sir John deserved to be reprimanded for making unguarded comments relating to the hearing of the matter.


Showing objectivity in judgment Meanwhile, the former president has asked the judges of the Court to show objectivity, as they prepare to give judgment on August 29, to further deepen democracy in Ghana.


The Court, presided over by Justice William Atuguba, set August 29 as final day for judgment, after hearing eight months of legal battle by counsel for the petitioners and president Mahama, the Electoral Commission as well as the governing National Democratic Congress who are first, second and third respondents respectively.


New Patriotic Party flagbearer in the 2012 election; Nana Akufo-Addo, his running mate; Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia and party Chairman Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey have petitioned the Supreme Court over the Electoral Commission's declaration of John Mahama as winner of the presidential election.