NPP constitutional committee can’t “order” K. Agyapong - Dan Botwe

Former General Secretary of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dan Kweku Botwe, has challenged his party’s Constitutional Committee’s findings which sought to impose recommendations on the National Executive Council (NEC) saying it has no power to give directives to the party leadership except to only offer advice to the administrative bodies of the party.

Dan Botwe, who is also the Member of Parliament for Okere Constituency in the Eastern Region, pointed out that the Constitutional Committee’s legal opinion cannot serve as an order to the National Executives; adding it should have first been duly submitted to the Steering Committee for consideration.

His comments come on the back of the publication of a LEGAL OPINION purported to be the outcome of investigations by the Constitutional Committee into the suspension of the NPP’s Director of Finance and Administration, Opare Hammond and Acting Communications Director, Perry Okudzeto.

Opare Hammond was relieved of his position for allegedly committing some acts bordering on financial improprieties.

Perry Okudzeto, on the other hand, was also asked to proceed on leave by the General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong, but in the opinion of the Legal and Constitutional Committee of the NPP, it was “improper” and an “anomaly,” thus the two must be reinstated.

But speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo and Okay Fm’s Ade Akye Abia Morning Show, Hon. Dan Botwe stressed that even if the issue under discussion was referred to the body (constitutional and legal committee), it could only proffer an opinion for consideration, which at best can only be advisory and not mandatory.

He however added that he does not believe their action was tinged with malice.

“This is not supposed to be the final decision because they cannot give order to the National Executives; there is nothing like that, and it has not happened and it can never happen in NPP. It was an error on the part of the Constitutional Committee, but I believe there was no malice intended. It should have been a secret document for any of the three bodies [National Executives, National Council and the Steering Committee] of the party….the National Executives can reject it, and nothing can be done about it. Every matter must be referred to the National Executive, National Council or the Steering Committee,” he emphasized.