Audio By Carbonatix
I am not privy to the internal dynamics of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), and so I cannot presume to hold brief for either side of the raging acrimony between Mr. Kennedy Agyepong, the NPP-Member of Parliament for Assin-Central, on the one hand, and Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, the NPP National Chairman and his executive associates, on the other.
Read 'I Will Form My Own Party If Jake Wins - Ken Agyapong.'
In the recent past, Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey has publicly accused the Assin-Central MP of seeking his personal destruction. Now, this is a very serious allegation. Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey has also publicly and vehemently denied that Mr. Agyepong had donated any bikes and other logistical support items to the party in the heat of Election 2012.
This followed Mr. Agyepong's widely reported allegation that some movers and shakers of the NPP may have cynically and deliberately diverted material resources personally donated to the party, with the help of some Chinese benefactors, or rather speculative investors in the political fortunes of the NPP.
The preceding state of affairs, if accurately reported by the media, may well raise serious questions about the country's election laws, as articulated in our 1992 Republican Constitution, down the pike, as it were. For now, though, what needs to be promptly and effectively tackled is the flagrant politics of personal destruction that appears to be fast taking grips of the NPP.
That Mr. Agyepong, the man in the eye of the storm, vis-a-vis the latest internal party squabbling is a formidable figure in the NPP cannot be gainsaid, irrespective of whether one agrees with Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey that Mr. Agyepong is not a major financier of the New Patriotic Party, or one takes the diametrically opposite stance.
The fact of the matter is that the man possesses both a remarkable modicum of political and media power and/or influence to be able to do considerable damage to the reputation and fortunes of the NPP, unless cooler heads prevail to find a mutually acceptable solution to the apparent bone of contention.
The firebrand Assin-Central MP has every democratic right to campaign against any party leaders that he deeply believes to be grossly incompetent, and may have either been inadvertently or willfully working against the electoral success of the party.
But it is not very forward-looking for Mr. Agyepong to be seen to be erratically attempting to strongarm party delegates and electors into toeing his line.
I also don't know that the $ 20 million that he claims to have earmarked for the waging of a massive and relentless one-man war/battle against all party incumbents, throughout the country, is a very meaningful (or productive) way of spending his money. But, of course, it is his own money!
You see, it is extremely difficult for Mr. Agyepong to make a credible and convincing case that each and every one of the party executives throughout the country has not sacrificed in any remarkable manner for the good fortune of the party.
Such a wild and blanket political tack makes him clearly seem like the one who may be clinically out of tune with the party's metaphorical symphonic orchestra.
I am also hoping that he does not intend to make good on his threat of quitting the New Patriotic Party and forming his own political party, if he fails to have his way with party delegates and electors.
Maybe he needs to sit down with Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, the founding-proprietor of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), in order to learn a thing or two about the Sissyphean task of going solo.
At any rate, I perfectly appreciate the utter frustration of Mr. Agyepong; but I also strongly believe that quiet diplomacy is the best way to go at it. Easy does it, as the saying goes.
Latest Stories
-
Government to pilot Electronic Document Wallet in fourth quarter – Sam George
27 seconds -
Kenya minister warns foreigners against ‘misusing’ visas to trade
4 minutes -
Three arrested as NACOC shuts down Amsterdam Pub at Laboma over suspected narcotics trade
4 minutes -
Rescuers dig through debris as seven dead in building collapse in Delhi
4 minutes -
Sam George directs Communications Ministry staff to enrol on One Million Coders programme
12 minutes -
From 4Fs and 3Es to Oxford: Dr George Asiamah tells his ‘back route’ story
12 minutes -
China to pump $54bn into state banks and insurers to boost economy
13 minutes -
Volta Region to get cancer research and treatment centre under CEANA
14 minutes -
OpenAI chief scientist warns no one is prepared for consequences of AI
15 minutes -
‘We don’t know when’ – Affected communities await compensation for Accra-Kumasi expressway
16 minutes -
Nepal observes national day of mourning for victims of flash flood disaster
17 minutes -
Government to train 50 digital champions, Senior officials in AI by December
21 minutes -
Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah joins ACG advisory board
22 minutes -
Sam George outlines digital sector reforms before year-end
25 minutes -
Dolly Parton’s sister pleads for end to ‘AI garbage’ posts after singer’s death
26 minutes