Politics of Friday, 2 September 2016

Source: 3news.com

If NPP had listened to me they will not be in a 'mess' - Nketia

Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary NDC Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary NDC

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, says if the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) had taken his advice, the party will not be in what he described as a “mess”.

Speaking on Onua FM’s news and current affairs program Ghana Dadwen, the General Secretary of the NDC noted that anytime he is called upon by the media to comment on issues happening in the NPP, he willingly agrees and in the process offers ‘wise’ counsel but his inputs are always consigned into the dustbin and regarded as taunting the NPP with the refrain of politics as usual.

To him, this has resulted in unending troubles for the NPP, a situation which he said is threatening to further tear the party apart even before the 2016 general elections.

The New Patriotic Party was hit with several suspensions from the top echelons of the party to the constituency level.

The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) last year unanimously voted to suspend its National Chairman Paul Afoko till after the 2016 elections.

The NEC upheld the overwhelming decision by the Disciplinary Committee, which decided that Mr. Afoko be suspended until after the 2016 elections.

Also suspended from the national executive level were the General Secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyepong, and the Second National Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe.

These suspensions have resulted in Paul Afoko and Sammy Crabbe going to court.

General Mosquito as Mr Asiedu Nketia is affectionately called said if the NPP had listened to him the party will not be in the crisis it found itself.

“We are all witnessing the state of the NPP now. It is in a terrible shape going into a major election”.

Mr Asiedu Nketia maintained that it is not because he has nothing to talk about in his party but he talks about the NPP to deepen the multiparty democracy, adding that: “How can someone say I should not speak on matters concerning the NPP. They also do same when we have issues but do we ask them to mind their business, we need a stronger opposition not what we have today”.

The General Secretary maintained that he will continue to offer the NPP his humble advice which if taken will reshape their party to recapture its past status as a viable opposition party and government-in-waiting other than that the NPP will soon split beyond repair.

MANIFESTO LAUNCH

Meanwhile, Mr. Asiedu Nketia has hinted that all things being equal, the party will launch its manifesto on 17th of September 2016.

He refuted claims that the new date is as a result of the party not completing its electoral document.

He said the manifesto was ready even before the campaign launch at the Cape Coast Stadium last month.

The manifesto launch according to the General Secretary will be preceded by highlights of the manifesto which will be done by the President John Dramani Mahama.