‘Sins’ of ‘Errant’ NPP Trio “laughable”- Authur Kennedy

A member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Arthur Kobina Kennedy, has described as “laughable” the reasons adduced by the leadership of the party to justify the indefinite suspension of general secretary Kwabena Agyepong, second vice-chairman Sammy Crabbe, and Chairman Paul Afoko.

In a statement, Dr Kennedy said those charges “diminish the proud traditions of the NPP.”

Mr Afoko was suspended amidst allegations of misconduct and other charges including breaches of the party’s constitution.

The NPP said Kwabena Agyepong was suspended for the following reasons:

A) Violation of Article 3(D) of the NPP constitution which enjoins members to publicly uphold the decisions of the party, through various acts including;

i. His disregard for the NEC decision of 23rd October, 2015, suspending Mr. Paul Afoko.

ii. Various public statements he made that cast the party in bad light.

B) He engaged in unilateral actions and activities without consultation of, or authorisation by, the NEC, such as:

i. Writing to the Electoral Commission designating only himself and suspended Chairman Afoko as the only authorised signatories.

ii. Granting waivers to parliamentary aspirants

iii. Non-reference of legal matters to the proper legal committee of the party

iv. Interference with constituency primaries against National Appeal Committee decisions and, also, court decisions.

v. Misrepresentation/misleading of NEC on status of some constituency primaries

vi. He, in conjunction with suspended Chairman Afoko and Sammy Crabbe, launched party cards without authorisation from NEC.

Reasons for suspending Sammy Crabbe:

The gravamen of the petition against Mr. Sammy Crabbe involved his violation of article 3 (D) on the duties of a member.

Mr. Sammy Crabbe, on several occasions, publicly went against the NEC decision on the 23rd October, 2015 suspending Mr. Paul Afoko.

He, also in conjunction with Mr. Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong, launched party membership cards and fundraising activities without authorisation from NEC.

Despite the reasons, Dr Kennedy said Mr Afoko was the man who had a plan, with macho men and supplies, to win Tain before the “I put it to you” crowd decided to go to court and wimped out on fighting Tain.

Dr Kennedy also said “Kwabena Agyepong was assaulted for being a Nana Addo man in 1998!

“He worked with me in the failed attempt to persuade Alan Kyeremanten not to contest Nana Addo in 2010.

“Sammy Crabbe had the most comprehensive plan to win a region in 2008 – we just never used it.

“The three of them combined have over 50 years’ experience and undoubted loyalty to the cause of the NPP.

“The charges against Kwabena Agyapong and earlier against the others are laughable. They diminish the proud traditions of the NPP.

“Kwabena Agyapong is being charged with friendship with Ibrahim Mahama? Really? How many want us to list all the hypocrites who funded their NPP elections from NDC sources?

“As for having Kufuor’s portrait rather than that of the flagbearer, it makes a lot of sense.

“His portrait must be there to remind the NPP of the leadership qualities that united us and made us the governing party twice”.