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24.02.2010 Politics

Mac Manu urges 'no blows' over 'Chasing the Elephant...'

By myjoyonline
Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, at the launching of Chasing The Elephant Into The BushYaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, at the launching of Chasing The Elephant Into The Bush
24.02.2010 LISTEN

The outgoing National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Peter Mac Manu, has guardedly stated that the views espoused in a book by the party's former Communication Director, Dr. Arthur Kennedy, must be respected.

In his remarks at the launch of the controversial book, Mr. Mac Manu conceded that he dislikes the title “Chasing The Elephant Into The Bush” but says the work of Dr. Kennedy has introduced a novelty into Ghanaian politics.

“Dr Arthur Kennedy is also entitled to his opinion on what he saw in the campaign. After all, that's the beauty of democracy. You speak, I speak – no blows. A book is a book. He's introducing a new thing into the politics of this country,” he said.

“I am exiting on Saturday; for all you know, I may also come out with a book. So let us try to document things. There might be some errors but, at least, something has been started in the political domain of this country and others must follow suit.”

Dr. Arthur Kennedy has been bashed by some NPP members for making public some mistakes he believes caused the party's 2008 election defeat.



Arthur Kennedy












Dr. Kwabena Frimpong Boateng speaking at the book launch. On his right is NPP Chairman, Peter Mac Manu, and right, author Arthur Kennedy autographing copies of the book for sale.







Addressing the audience at his book launch Dr. Kennedy said although he regrets any hurt he might have caused anyone through his book, he stands by the views expressed in it.

“We can never be the nation we wish to be if we do not have courageous people who can look at an emperor in the face and say: “Your majesty, you are naked.” Despite the insults, I refuse to return insults for insults...,” he said.

Veteran journalist and lawyer Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, who performed the launch, asked supporters of political parties to be tolerant of opposing views.

The launch was chaired by heart surgeon and former aspirant for NPP flagbearership, Professor Frimpong Boateng.

The first auctioned copy of the book was sold for GH¢200, and incidentally bought by Gabby Asare Otchere Darko, a member of the NPP who worked closely with Arthur Kennedy in the 2008 elections but who became one of Arthur Kennedy's major critics for the book.








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