Kpone-Katamanso -- Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City, has been accused as the cause of the deep cracks, in the Kpone Katamanso branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). The accusation was made by some leading members, who call themselves concerned members of the party, in the constituency, at a press conference at Kpone, near Tema.

Addressing journalists, the spokesman for the leading members, Mr. Josiah William Nuertey said Jake, who is also the regional chairman of the party, has employed a divide and rule tactics and with the backing of two of the constituency executives, John Tetteh and Solomon Appiah are determined to break the party front in order to carry on their selfish ambitions.

The situation, according to the spokesman, has created a state of anarchy and disinterest among the party faithfuls in the constituency, and which has lead to the members not attending party meetings .

According to him, it all started when after the 2000 general elections, John Tetteh and Solomon Appiah planted a news item in the Daily Graphic that, they have suspended the constituency chairman, Mr. Paul Antiaye from his post.

When Mr. Antiaye decided to put in a rejoinder, the regional chaiman impressed upon him to stop, and that he will personally ensure that the allegations were investigated into, and the culprits brought to book.

“However, as we gather here this afternoon, for this all important programme, nothing has been heard about the outcome of the investigation, instead Jake has teamed up with those who planted the news item, and has overnight realized that he is a native of the constituency” with a mandate, to contest for the parliamentary seat” he noted.

He explained that, the regional executives under the chairmanship of Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, has on several occasions since 2002 either postponed or relocated the constituency congress with the aim of frustrating some of the contestants they cannot manipulate.

Alarmed by the turn of events, he continued “two petitions were delivered to both the regional and national offices on June 24, complaining about the way the regional executives were handling affairs of the constituency, but nothing has been done”

They have therefore given the party hierarchy, a two week ultimatum to respond to the various petitions before them, or they will be compelled to climb above and appeal to the president, to personally intervene in solving the problems of the constituency.

Elucidating, Mr. Nuertey noted that their reason for taking this stand, stems from the fact that “we are very much concerned about the welfare of the party in the constituency, most especially, when the fortunes now favour us to win the seat for the first time in four (4) elections.

Determined to see their selfish ambition achieved, a hurriedly organized constituency congress was put together at the regional office in Accra, a couple of weeks ago , on an unusual working day without inviting some of the people, who have filed their nomination to contest for the various positions.

And the outcome of the congress, according to him, is there for all to see as the elected chairman, Mr. Plange is neither a registered member of the constituency, nor resides there.

He further stated that, Miss Winnie Tetteh-Amanquah who was elected as the women’s organizer, did not even file to contest at the close of the nomination.

“We cannot accept ‘an executive formed in exile’, through an obvious manipulation of the constituency election, by the regional executive body, to favour certain personalities, as the best way of getting things done. We want to avoid the situation, where apathy and complacency, would make us lose our fortunes” he added.