The New Patriotic Party (NPP) says it is not alarmed by the United Party’s decision to reject its offer of amnesty to former members who broke away from the party, insisting the move was only meant to reconcile suspended members, not defectors.

According to the National Youth Organiser of the NPP, Mustapha Salam, the party remains confident and unshaken despite the stance taken by Alan Kyerematen’s party regarding the amnesty extended to suspended and estranged members.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on Thursday, October 16, Mr. Salam said the NPP’s decision to grant amnesty was a strategic effort to promote unity within the party ahead of future political activities.

“I don't think that we are panicked at all. As a political party, we understand the need for internal cohesion. A number of suspensions were done before and during the election, and we thought that looking at where we were as a party, it was prudent to clean up our slate and offer amnesty to all members who had pending issues before the disciplinary committee or who, for one reason or another, were suspended,” he explained.

Mr. Salam clarified that the amnesty was not targeted at members who voluntarily resigned from the NPP, noting that such individuals must formally apply if they wish to rejoin.

• Read also: Alan Kyerematen’s United Party turns down NPP amnesty offer 

“When you resign from the party voluntarily, you have left. If you wish to rejoin, you must apply. Again, in the constitution of the party, when the party sponsors a candidate and you go against that candidate, you automatically forfeit your membership. To rejoin, you must go through a formal process,” he said.

He stressed that the amnesty primarily covers members with disciplinary or suspension issues within the party’s structures, not those who broke away to form or support rival movements such as the Movement for Change.

“Let’s not mistake the processes at all. If anybody says that they do not wish to rejoin, that is their personal decision,” Mr. Salam added.

According to him, several suspended members have already taken advantage of the amnesty and returned to the NPP fold, helping to foster a renewed sense of unity.

“A number of people have rejoined the party based on the amnesty that was granted. Some of the long-standing disciplinary actions have been resolved, and we are rebuilding the party from a fresh, united front,” he said.