NPP urged to respect freedom of expression

Kormantse (C/R), July 19, GNA - A District Chief Executive in the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration has appealed to the National Executive of the party to respect the right of individuals to express their views on matters concerning the party.

Mr Robert Quainoo-Arthur, a former Mfantseman Municipal Chief Executive, told the GNA in an interview that it would be wrong for the executives to label people who expressed their views on issues affecting the party as "saboteurs".

He was commenting on the reaction of the executive to a press conference held recently by representatives of four NPP presidential candidate aspirants of the party to express their concerns about the election arrangements.

Mr Quainoo-Arthur said the party must demonstrate that it respected the freedom of speech enshrined in the 1992 constitution so that it could impress upon others to respect it.

He said efforts to instil discipline in the NPP must not be seen as infringing on people's right to freedom of expression.

"We must make democracy to work within the party," Mr Quainoo-Arthur said.

He appealed to supporters of the party who would be voting in the presidential primaries to reflect carefully on where the party was coming from and where it wanted to go before casting their votes.

"The destiny of the party has been entrusted in your hands", he said and urged them to make wise decisions that could make the NPP to stand the test of time.

Mr Quainoo-Arthur said the 2012 election would not be easy as the NDC would not release power easily.

"The victory for our party will be determined by how we cast our votes on the August 07 presidential primary," Mr Quainoo-Arthur said.