The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, has accused Amenfi Central MP Peter Kwakye-Ackah of holding the party hostage for his personal interests.

This follows the disqualification of the NDC's parliamentary candidate, Joana Cudjoe, by the Electoral Commission (EC).

Gbande’s criticism comes after Kwakye-Ackah, who is now running as an Independent Candidate, expressed willingness to collaborate with the NDC in the lead-up to the December elections, despite the EC's decision to disqualify Cudjoe due to a pending interlocutory injunction.

"Kwakye-Ackah cannot hold the party to ransom because the party made him," Mr Gbande remarked. "

When you fictitiously go behind accusing party leadership of masterminding your removal, it is sickening and shouldn’t be entertained by anyone."

• Read also: EC disqualifies NDC’s Joana Cudjoe from Amenfi Central Parliamentary race

In response, Kwakye-Ackah denied any ill intent towards the NDC and insisted that he was open to working with the party to secure victory in the 2024 elections.

“I believe that we can collaborate."

"There is no need to stretch this matter at all. Sometimes certain things happen for good," he said in an interview on Joy FM's Newsnight.

“Now I have filed as an independent, but I can stand in as a candidate for the NDC,” Kwakye-Ackah added, signaling his openness to reconcile despite the tensions within the party.

The ongoing friction between Kwakye-Ackah and the NDC leadership has sparked controversy, with Gbande accusing the MP of undermining the party, while Kwakye-Ackah maintains that his actions are in the best interest of ensuring electoral success for the NDC.