General News of Saturday, 22 August 2009

Source: statesman

I have no faction - Kufuor

The former President of the Republic of Ghana, John Agyekum Kufuor has debunked the notion that he has a faction in the New Patriotic Party and has stated categorically that he does not want any faction within the party.

He said this at the NPP's National Delegates' Conference being held at the Ghana International Trade fair Centre.

"Mr Chairman, my delegates, ladies and gentlemen, I have heard people talk about a 'Kufuor faction' or this faction or that faction in the party. I wish to state here today that I have no faction in the party and do not want any faction in the party," he said.

"I am a thorough bred NPP. I have supported the ideals and principles of the party all my life. I have no intention of departing from that. Through the party I reached the highest point in political life anybody could wish for anywhere in the world.

I have had in my time and I am content with that. I am not in contention with anybody for any position within the party or outside it. I wish to play my role as an elder statesman within the party, if I am so permitted," he further added.

He asked for unity in the party after the National Delegate's conference and further stressed the point that such gatherings as this, served as a basis of bonding together members of one great party, the NPP. The National delegates' conference, he said, also served as a platform for the renewal of the commitment of members to the party and a signal to the world of the NPP's belief in the tenets of democracy.

In his closing remarks former President Kufuor asked for tolerance in the dissemination of viewpoints among members.

"As an ebusuapanyin, if I see something going wrong or I have a vision, I would want to share it with party members and I implore all to see it as just that. I ask for respect for all our party members, whether big or small and for fellow-feeling for all. After all, we are all members of the same stock, NPP,” he said.