New Patriotic Party leadership must act to promote peace

The leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the flagbearer of the party, Nana Akufo Addo, must act promptly to promote peace in the party and the country, and also to save the party from disintegrating following the death of the Upper East regional chairman, Alhaji Adams Mahama.

The leadership of the NPP must immediately stamp its authority on members of the party who are usurping the investigative skills and powers of the police and had without any evidence already accused the party’s national chairman, Paul Afoko and general secretary, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong of killing Alhaji Mahama.

Despite the apparent mistrust and misunderstanding which arose between the late regional chairman and the two top officers of the party, particularly coming very close to his death, nobody should be allowed to pass judgement on Afoko and Agyapong without any evidence before the police finish their investigations.

The death of Adams Mahama is a crime and the police must be allowed to do their work by completing their investigations and coming out with their verdict before people start passing judgements.

The NPP leadership must also act immediately to pave the way for Messrs Afoko and Agyapong to go on with their legitimate schedules as duly elected national chairman and general secretary respectively of the NPP without any let or hindrance. Any attempt to force the two officials to resign will be tantamount to a coup detat and an undemocratic act.

The NPP leadership must bear in mind that should it cave in for those calling for Afoko and Agyapong to resign, and force them to resign, that would cause a very catastrophic consequences for the party which could lead to its disintegration.

I call on Nana Akufo Addo to show leadership by brokering peace between all the feuding factions to ensure that there is cohesion in the party and that members avoid any acts which could breach the peace of the country.

The killing of Adams Mahama through the acid attack is a national tragedy and a dent on our country’s democratic credentials, hence all efforts must be made by the NPP and all political parties to find a better and more peaceful way of resolving internal and inter-party differences.

I also call on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that there is speedy investigation of the killing of Adams Mahama to enable the culprits to be brought to justice to give relief to the bereaved family, as well as remove any suspicions made against people who have nothing to do with his killing.

Dr Frankie Asare-Donkoh
Political Scientist & Media and Communication Expert