Tema, Nov. 22, GNA - Cracks in the Tema East constituency of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) continue to deepen as the two substantive top executives who were allegedly removed from office for misconduct have declined to relinquish their positions in the party.

Mr Ken Obeng-Ofosu and Mr Charles Ogyeabour Boateng, chairman and secretary respectively were removed from office in August 2006 after a vote of no confidence was reposed in them by the chairpersons of the various stations.

This necessitated their replacement and fresh election was conducted at the party's congress held last Saturday, November 18, during which Mr Yaw Anim-Addo and Mr Seth Opare were returned unopposed as the new chairman and secretary respectively.

Mr Foster Bortey was also elected the First Vice Chairman in place of Mr Kofi Brako, who resigned for personal reasons. In a reaction, Mr Obeng-Ofosu told the Ghana News Agency at Tema on Wednesday that the election held at the congress was unconstitutional and therefore illegal.

He denied any acts of misconduct to warrant their removal from office and said, 93Mr Boateng and I remain the chairman and secretary respectively, and nobody can dismiss us from the executives=94. Mr Obeng-Ofosu claimed that ever since the executives were elected into office in October 2005, Mr Ishmael Ashitey, Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency 93has never liked the two of us because he told us categorically that he could not work with us=94. Meanwhile, a press release signed by Mr Sammy Crabbe, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the party has condemned last Saturday's congress describing it as unconstitutional.

It indicated that it does not recognize the congress and its outcome saying 93the so called conference was unconstitutional and therefore illegal; to say the least since the people have no power to convene and conduct such a conference. The Regional branch of the party does not recognize the said conference at its outcome=94.

The release went further to state that 93consequently, it is illegal for those people who were elected at the said conference to hold themselves as executives of the constituency=94.

It added that Mr Obeng-Ofosu and Mr Boateng remain the constitutionally mandated, substantive and legitimate constituency chairman and secretary of the Tema East NPP.

The release appealed to party members to ignore the new elected executives and rather remain calm and forge ahead in unity for the growth and sustainability of the party. 22 Nov. 06