NDC describes NPP as totally confused party; Ohene Ntow expresses disgust at mayhem

A Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress has described the opposition New Patriotic Party as a totally confused party, which does not know what it is about.

Tuesday afternoon, violent protests by some aggrieved supporters of the NPP disrupted a news conference addressed by the party's National Chairman and General Secretary.

During the conference NPP Chairman, Paul Afoko accused the NDC of sending hoodlums to foment trouble at the party's headquarters.

But Kofi Adams debunked the claims on Joy News Tuesday evening, stating that members of the NPP have a track record of attacking each other and today's chaotic situation was not new.

Mr. Adams cited an instance where “they [NPP] have even thrown petrol bombs at each other before in the Volta region, during a constituency conference. They have butchered themselves during a constituency conference in Suhum; they have done many things.”

He also recounted that Wereko Brobby was chased out of the party headquarters when he was invited by the party hierarchy. “I am therefore not surprised that Mr. Paul Afoko will behave the way he is behaving and go round to accuse the NDC.”

Some supporters of the party besieged the headquarters threatening to attack the party Chairman Paul Afoko and the General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong Tuesday afternoon.

They were both addressing a recent controversy over a directive to the party's acting director of communications, Perry Okudzeto to proceed on leave.

The conference had to be stopped abruptly as a result of the mayhem.

Furthermore, Mr. Adams questioned why a race for the presidency or a flagbearer result in situations like this.

“Please they should keep NDC, a peaceful; straight forward; the party that knows what it is about out of this troubles. They should sort themselves out," he advised.

Former General Secretary of the NPP, Nana Ohene Ntow also expressed disgust at Tuesday's unfolding events at the party's headquarters in Accra, noting, it has been a very sad day for the opposition party.

“I do not see how if there are issues and the party chairman or general secretary decide to address a press conference then that press conference would be disrupted by armed gangsters and hoodlums. I think it is a very shameful day for our party."

According to him, the NPP is a party known for its decorous behavior and believes in discussing and dialoguing rather than using violence to settle issues.  

“So it comes to me as a complete disappointment and very sad development indeed, in the history of our party that today, instead of dialoguing some people in this party have chosen to use physical violence; it's a big shame for the New Patriotic Party,” he lamented.

He continued that the issue ought to be handled in a very honest way. “The people who are behind this can be traced and they can be identified. These are people who have been pushed by party people.”

He alleged that the perpetrators were influenced by very well known people in the party and called for through investigation into the mishap.

“Just yesterday, there was a threat against this press conference today so it is not something that just happened by accident. It is premeditated in my view,” he stated.

He however refused to mention names of those he accused of orchestrating the incident.

However, Joy News' Kwakye Afreh-Nuamah reported that about ten men wielding cutlasses said to be guards at the party headquarters attempted to assault a man in a four-wheel drive parked just in front of the HQ.

Messrs Afoko and Agyapong, who supported former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen's failed attempts to lead the NPP to the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections are accused of trying to tilt the scales in his favour this time round.