Acting National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Danquah Smith Butey, has dismissed claims that Kwame Baffoe Abronye, the Bono Regional Chairman of the party, disrespected former President John Agyekum Kufuor during a National Council meeting.

Former Health Minister, Dr. Richard Anane, had alleged in an interview that Abronye was disrespectful to the former President at the said meeting — an accusation Abronye has strongly denied and publicly rebuffed.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem programme, Chairman Butey clarified that the alleged incident had been misrepresented by Dr. Anane, who, according to him, was not even present at the meeting.

It wasn’t that Abronye disrespected President Kufuor,” Chairman Butey said. “What happened was an in-house discussion on a proposal made by the former President. It is unfortunate that Dr. Anane, who was not there, has taken it out of context.

He explained that during the meeting, former President Kufuor offered advice, and as is customary, members were allowed to share their opinions.

However, when discussions began to veer off course, he stepped in to restore order.

Dr. Anane could have submitted a petition to the disciplinary committee if he had any concerns. He wasn’t even at the meeting, so I believe he may have been misinformed, Mr. Butey stated.

Chairman Butey further recalled that after three people had spoken, he realised the discussion was becoming unnecessarily heated and decided to end it.

I stopped it and informed President Kufuor that his advice had been taken in good faith and that the party would deliberate and revert. Abronye was one of those who digressed, but he did not disrespect the former President, he clarified.

He stressed that Abronye, on the contrary, consistently referred to President Kufuor as his in-law throughout his contribution, demonstrating respect.

He wouldn’t dare insult President Kufuor — I wouldn’t have tolerated it. He was respectful throughout, he emphasised.

The Acting National Chairman cautioned party members against spreading misinformation that could tarnish the image of the NPP.

If Abronye had insulted President Kufuor, the consequences would not have been pleasant, he warned.