Abuakwa South NPP executives exonerated

The long standing dispute between some Polling Station executives of the Abuakwa South Constituency of the New Patriotic Party and three constituency executives of the party was put to rest at Kyebi on Sunday.

This was when 72 out of the 79 member polling station executives attending the constituency's annual conference unanimously endorsed the Regional Disciplinary Committee"s investigation report which exonerated the three executives from any wrong doing in a saga that has rocked the constituency in the last few months. The executives reaffirmed their confidence in the three constituency executives, comprising the Chairman, Kwasi Okyere, the Secretary, Yaw Bampo Koranteng and the Women Organiser, Awo Ntiamoa and urged them to continue their functions in an environment of reconciliation.

They took note of their petition dated March 22, 2006 alleging misapplication of their MP’s Common Fund and requesting the Regional Disciplinary Committee to investigate the allegation.

They stated, "We further take note of and accept without any reservation the findings and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee which indicated that 'no wrong doing’ was established against the chairman and the two others, and in total, exonerated them."

In the circumstance, they resolved, "We hereby reaffirm our confidence in the Chairman, Kwasi Okyere, the Secretary, Yaw Bampo Koranteng and the Women Organiser Awo Ntiamoa and urge them to continue their functions in an environment of reconciliation." The executives also renewed their commitment to work together in harmony and with the common purpose of championing the course of the New Patriotic Party.

They also said in the name of their great pioneer, J B Danquah, the doyen of Ghana politics and in the name of "Ogyeaboo" Paa Willie, member of the Big Six (both sons of the Abuakwa south Constituency), they would all join hands to push the constituency and the party forward.

Addressing the conference, Yaw Amfo-Kwakye, special aide to Nana Akufo-Addo,MP for Abuakwa South, reminded the constituency that the dispute served as free fuel to detractors to use to cause some otherwise avoidable harm to Nana Akufo-Addo’s ambition to stand for President in the 2008 elections.

He said many people including those outside Ghana continue to question the rationale behind the agitation in the constituency and advised those indulging in it to know the harm they were causing.

He said it was in line with the doctrine of rule of law that when the allegation first came to light the MP swiftly opted for the set up of an inquiry body, when findings of an initial inquiry by the District Asembly were even challenged by some. The findings, he stressed, must be taken in good faith by all.

However, Mr Amfo-Kwakye described the accusations and counter-accusations in the constituency as an act of misinformation and power struggle among a few elements within the constituency.

The constituency chairman, Kwasi Okyere denied all the allegations leveled against him and his two colleagues and advised those peddling misinformation and falsehood to put an end to it. He cautioned committed party loyalists against being misled to create confusion in the constituency, controlled by a leading contender to succeed President J A Kufuor after 2008 as President of Ghana.

Mr Okyere said the time has now come to put the differences behind them and put their weight behind Nana Akufo-Addo to achieve his aim. He said the MP and Minister deserves praise for his good work in the constituency and the nation. The Abuakwa South NPP Chairman said the MP has not only helped to build the NPP but also made Ghana proud on the international scene as Foreign Minister. He denied rumours that money was changing hands in the constituency to push somebody to succeed Nana Akufo-Addo as MP for the area.

Mr Okyere also announced plans to put up a structure to serve as the constituency office.

Nana Fredua Ofori-Atta, the Financial Secretary of the constituency disclosed that a ¢714m budget has been drawn by the constituency for 2007. Three sub-committees, Finance Committee headed by Kwame Boateng, a legal practitioner, Disciplinary Committee headed by Kwasi Nkansah, a retired Police Commissioner and Public Relations Committee headed by Nana Fredua Ofori-Atta, a journalist, were inaugurated at the conference.