Probe NPP Accounts -NPP

AS the Ashanti Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) goes to polls on Saturday, there are growing calls for a financial audit of the party before the elections.

The agitation by a cross-section of members is premised on the fact that some members of the executive have decided to stand for positions in the party and it would be proper if the accounts were audited to ensure that those who are contesting are not tainted with any acts of fraud.

An amount of ?3bn and other monies in foreign currencies are reported to be unaccounted for from the accounts of the party. It was not clear at press time whether the calls for the forensic audit forced the re-scheduling of the elections from March 8 to March 22, 2003.

Three candidates, Robert Owusu Amankwaa, Frederick Fredua Anto, the incumbent Chairman and Kwame Agyei, the First Vice Chairman are contesting for the chairmanship of the party.

The three candidates have, over the months, been criss-crossing the region canvassing for support from members of the NPP.

There have been allegations of financial impropriety against some of the candidates, culminating in agitations from a section of the party for the institution of a probe into the party finances.

Article 3 of the NPP Constitution disqualifies a member from holding any office or contesting any election in the party on the grounds of dishonesty, fraud or moral turpitude unless a period of 10 years had elapsed.

In the midst of the calls for audit into the accounts, Mr. Kwame Agyei, has distanced himself from any acts of malfeasance.

He claimed that although he is the 1st Vice Chairman of the party he was kept in the dark about the accounts and financial state of the party.

Kwame Agyei said most of the time he was in the countryside attending to party duties and was not privy to money that go in or out of the party's coffers.

He defended his decision to contest for the chairmanship of the party and said he wanted to be in the driving seat to implement the programmes he has in mind for the development of the party.

"Playing second fiddle has problems. It is not all that you say that are considered," he said. Kwame Agyei said that the fact that he is part of the executive that is being accused of fraud does not mean he is involved, adding that he was kept out of the mainstream of affairs.

The Ashanti Region is crucial to the retention of political power by the NPP and the party is eager to ensure smooth elections to maintain the unity of the party.

The Heritage has learnt that efforts are being made to persuade some of the contestants to step down or to arrive at a consensus candidate but initial indications are that the efforts have not been very successful.

In the last elections, the NPP won 31 out of the 33 parliamentary seats and about 90 per cent of the presidential votes.