Violence at NPP headquarters can lead the party into mutually assured destruction - Kweku Baako

Managing Editor of the New Crusading Guide newspaper Kweku Baako Jnr has described recent occurrences in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as “a comedy of errors which has the potential to lead the party into a mutually assured destruction”.

Speaking on Peace FMs 'Kokrokoo' he said both the General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong and the chairman Paul Afoko should have taken steps to address recent controversies within the party by using internal party structures.

With particular reference to yesterday's press conference which had to be aborted midway, as a result of violence Mr Baako said the two men should not have organized the press conference and that all the grievances they were faced with could have been dealt with at a steering committee meeting  and further actions taken by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

He said they committed “a fatal error by organising that press conference” adding that it was completely wrong.

A group of angry youth of the NPP stormed the party's headquarters wielding machetes and disrupted a press conference being held by the General Secretary and the chairman of the party.

They said both executives Kwabena Agyapong and Paul Afoko are hurting the party by taking unilateral decisions in their bid to restructure the party.

The General Secretary said the press conference was held to explain the rationale behind the decision to ask the acting Director of Communications Perry Okudzeto to proceed on leave and also to make further clarifications on other party issues.

Some supporters who were present sustained various degrees of injuries while a vehicle parked within the premises of the Head Quarters was vandalized.

However Mr. Baako said organizing the press conference was not an “urgent proposition at this material moment when the party is preparing for elections”.

He described it as “a fatal error of judgment” and that it showed the poor management skills and lack of finesse of the General Secretary and Chairman in handling the issues.

He said both Kwabena Agyapong and Paul Afoko should have realized that the absence of other executives from the press conference indicated that they were not in support of the decision taken by both executives.

According to him it will be unfortunate for Kwabena Agyapong to say that the entire communication system of the party was against him and the chairman.

He said what happened is a shame and is a matter of interest to the general public not the NPP alone, adding that the party must allow the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter without any intrusion.  

He said the party should be prepared for future occurrences because the issue will be used against them by their political opponents.