Kojo Bamba's past does not bar him from holding office in NPP – Egyapa Mercer

Former Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has defended the election of Kojo Bamba as the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) First National Vice Chairman.

He said Kojo Bamba's past association with the Delta Force vigilante group should not prevent him from holding a position within the party, particularly after the group was disbanded.

Speaking on Accra-based TV3's New Day show on Tuesday, October 6, Egyapa Mercer said Kojo Bamba met the eligibility requirements to contest the NPP's national executive elections and ultimately secured enough votes from delegates to emerge as First National Vice Chairman.

“The fact that he was the Invisible Force leader some eight, nine years ago doesn't mean that he is barred from holding an office in a political party," he said.

Kojo Bamba's election has generated controversy within and outside the NPP because of his past involvement with the Delta Force, a pro-NPP vigilante group.

In 2017, the group stormed the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council to forcibly remove a regional security coordinator, leading to the arrest and prosecution of some of its members.

Kojo Bamba was also reportedly among 13 Delta Force members who were convicted after escaping from lawful custody at a Kumasi Circuit Court.

They were fined GH¢2,400 each after pleading guilty to the offence.

He said Mr Bamba's campaign message focused on asking delegates to vote for him alongside two other candidates whom he described as intellectuals.

“He went out there campaigning that, look, vote for two intellectuals and vote for me to provide them cover. But I'm saying that in their decision to have Bamba as one of the vice chairpersons, most people voted for him," the former MP said.

Egyapa Mercer further expressed confidence that the new national executive team, together with the party's flagbearer, former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, can help the NPP mount a strong campaign to return to power in 2028.