Afoko, Agyepong receive rousing welcome in Wa

Hundreds of New Patriotic Party (NPP) supporters in Wa in the Upper West Region poured onto the streets over the weekend to welcome the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Paul Afoko, and his General Secretary, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, who are currently on a tour of the regions.

The duo, who were joined by the party’s vice running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiah, received a rousing welcome by the enthusiastic crowd, which pledged to work with them to ensure unity in the party, and also win the 2016 general elections. Meanwhile, Messrs. Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong have vowed to defy detractors and work hard for electoral victory in Election 2016.

The two men, who have begun a nation-wide tour to interact with the party’s regional and constituency executives, have been in the media spotlight, following some recent tensions in the party. Last week, there were media reports of the interruption of a meeting the two executives were having with some constituency executives in the Upper East Region as part of a road map towards victory in Election 2016.

The third National Vice Chairman of the party, F.F. Antoh, and the National Organiser, John Boadu, were supposed to have joined the Chairman and General Secretary for the trip, but withdrew at the last minute, rendering their tickets useless, an insider who is abreast with the development said.

Some sources have accused the Upper East Regional Chairman of the party, Adams, for masterminding the chaos, but the police are yet to complete investigations into the matter. However, sources close to the party in the region indicate that executives of the party have threatened to resign en bloc, because of the development, which they consider as an embarrassment to them.

Sources indicate that some elders of the party are working to calm nerves and restore unity of the party in the region. Indeed, the morning after the incident, the elders of the party in the region met with Mr. Paul Afoko to solidarise with him and the General Secretary, and condemn the action of the youth.

According to inside sources, some of the youth who engaged in the distraction have also apologised to Messrs Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong, and revealed that they had been misled and used by some people. Meanwhile, Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong are said to be resolved in their determination to pursue an issue-based campaign to wrestle power from the NDC.

“The two remain unruffled,” noted a source close to them.

The source added that the two gentlemen have the interest of the party at heart, and want to make a mark by winning the 2016 elections. “Let no one be deceived; the Chairman and the General Secretary will not succumb to the wishes of the detractors,” the source stated. So far, they have visited seven regions – Volta, Western, Central, Eastern, and the northern three.

“The tour will continue unabated. The interest of the NPP towers above the interest of any member of the party,” the source stated. Gathered information from the party’s headquarters also indicates that some other key executives of the party are disheartened and disappointed in these developments. There are indications that a meeting may be conveyed soon to discuss the matter.