Kumasi, July 12, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suspended Mr Slyvester Akakpovie, its Secretary for six months for allegedly flirting with the yet-to be inaugurated Democratic Freedom Party (DFP).

The decision was taken at an emergency Executive meeting held in Kumasi on Tuesday.

A three-member disciplinary committee has been set up to investigate Mr Akakpovie's behaviour.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency after the meeting, Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the party, said Mr Akakpovie recently participated in a press conference held by the DFP in Accra. He said Mr Akakpovie's recent comments on FM stations in Kumasi created suspicion.

Mr Agyekum said the current behaviour and activities of Mr Akakpovie indicated that he was poaching some members of the NDC for DFP.

He alleged on an FM station, that when Mr Akakpovie was asked whether he would remain loyal to the NDC replied, "time will tell". Mr Agyekum said the party's constitution stated that a member or an executive member could be suspended for a specific period, removed from office, fined, reprimanded, expelled and even ineligible to hold office, when he or she was found in anti-party conduct or activities likely to embarrass the party.

Other offences, which he said could attract suspension, were bringing the party into hatred, ridicule, contempt, insubordination or negligence in the execution of lawful directives of the party and unauthorized disclosure of confidential party information. In another development, Madam Ama Pokuah, Chairperson of Subin Constituency of the party has also been suspended for failing to attend meetings since she was elected. Her conduct has also been referred to the party's disciplinary committee for investigations.