The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party is adamant of an official party reprimand for publicly supporting Nana Akufo-Addo's bid to lead the party as presidential candidate. The party has described as regrettable the decision by Ishmael Ashietey to publicly declare support for one of the five aspiring presidential candidates. Head of Communications Kweku Kwarteng said the condemnation is to signal to all other party executives that this is not proper and is not in the interest of the party. He further stated that party leaders at all levels must be seen to be neutral ahead of the August 7 Congress to elect a new flag-bearer for the party. Even though he was not emphatic on punitive measures to be taken against Ishmael Ashietey, he said any aggrieved member, other than the party leadership, can explore the internal procedures to seek redress. Far from being apologetic, the condemnation if anything, has rather spurred Ishmael Ashietey on to declare Nana Akufo-Addo as an “emerging leader.” “Leaders emerge from time to time. When a leader is emerging if you have leadership eyes you can quickly see,” he told Joy News' Stephen Anti. He said his decision to support Nana Akufo-Addo does not breach any rule in the party. “I don’t think it is wrong; everybody has got his own thinking. Our party has the position that there shouldn’t be this situation of conflict of interest. “…I don’t think my position on Nana Akufo-Addo has anything to do with conflict of interest,” he said, adding, “I am not involved in anyway with the forthcoming elections.” He stressed however that as a leader he must give direction as to which candidate will bring victory for the party.. “I am a leader of a group in a region. We are to take a decision that will take us to 2012. I must give direction. He called the bluff of those who think his decision is in bad taste and dared them to take him to the party's disciplinary committee. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana