The New Patriotic Party National Organiser John Boadu has been given additional responsibility as the acting General Secretary following the suspension of Kwabena Agyepong.

The decision was announced by NPP Communications Director Nana Akomea at a press conference at NPP National Headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra.

It came shortly after the NEC sanctioned the decision by the Disciplinary Committee to suspend Agyepong and the second Vice Chairman Sammy Crabbe.

John Boadu’s immediate task is to organize an extraordinary delegates conference on the 19 December 2015 where the national campaign team is expected to be outdoored.

John Boadu

The effective sidelining of three national executives- Paul Afoko, Kwabena Agyepong and Sammy Crabbe- deemed as rebels is expected to stamp out tensions and turmoil in Ghana’s largest opposition party.

At a party congress in February 2012, Kwabena Agyepong confirmed his status as the favourite after he polled 2,529 votes to beat Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, the former General Secretary who polled 1990 votes.

With 539 winning margin, Kwabena Agyepong began his tenure emboldened and assertive and sacked security officers at the party headquarters and directed deputy Communications Director Perry Okudzeto to proceed on leave with the authority from the party chairman Paul Afoko.

The move triggered a backlash and left the party spiraling down with one controversy after the other.

At a key party press conference last week addressed by NPP Vice-Presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who presented NPP’s economic analysis of government’s 2016 budget, Kwabena Agyepong was conspicuously absent.

His influence dissipated with the controversy and with that influence reaching its lowest ebb, a decision to suspend him was more a fait accompli.

 

A press statement explaining the party's decision has since been released.

NPP NEC Meeting

At its meeting on Thursday 10^th December, 2015 the NPP National Executive Committee (NEC) considered the report of the National Disciplinary Committee on petitions against the conduct of the General Secretary, Mr. Kwabena Adjei Agyepong and the 2^nd Vice Chairman, Mr. Sammy Crabbe.

The petitioners in the case of Mr. Kwabena Agyepong, were Messrs. Christopher Arthur, Fred Addai, Amadu Kalim, Iddrisu Musa, Owusu Ansah and K.T Hammond.

The NEC acknowledged and commended Mr. Kwabena Agyepong for his full cooperation and attendance at the Disciplinary Committee hearings.

At the end of its deliberations, the NEC decided by unanimous decision of all 45 members present, to suspend Mr. Kwabena Agyepong indefinitely from the position of NPP General Secretary. 

The gravamen of the petitions against Mr. Agyepong included;

1. Violation of Article 3(D) of the NPP constitution which enjoins members to publicly uphold the decisions of the party, through various acts including;

1. His disregard for NEC decision on 23^rd October, 2015, suspending Mr. Paul Afoko.

1. Various Public statements he made that cast the Party in bad light.

1. He engaged in unilateral actions and activities without consultation of, or authorization by the NEC, such as;

1. Writing to the Electoral Commission designating only himself and suspended Chairman Afoko as the only authorized signatories.
2. Granting waivers to parliamentary aspirants
3. Non-reference of legal matters to the proper legal Committee of the Party
4. Interference with Constituency primaries against National Appeal Committee decisions and also, Court decisions.
5. Misrepresentation/misleading of NEC on status of some constituency primaries
6. He, in conjunction with suspended Chairman Afoko and Sammy Crabbe, launched Party cards without authorizations from NEC.

The meeting also considered the report of the Disciplinary Committee on petitions against Mr. Sammy Crabbe, 2^nd National Vice Chairman. The meeting also by unanimous decision upheld the recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee to suspend Mr. Crabbe indefinitely from his position as NPP 2^nd National Vice Chairman. 

The petitioners against Mr. Crabbe were Mr. Boye Laryea and Madam Gladys Mann-Dede, both former Greater Accra Regional executives.

The gravamen of the petition against Mr. Sammy Crabbe involved his violation of article 3 (D) on the duties of a member. Mr. Sammy Crabbe on several occasions publicly went against the NEC decision on the 23^rd October, 2015 suspending Mr. Paul Afoko. 

He also in conjunction with Mr. Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong launched party membership cards and fundraising activities without authorization from NEC.

Members of the Disciplinary Committee include Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Asante Antwi (Chairman) Alhaji Abubakar Abdul Rahman, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, Madam Ama Busia, Prof. Mike Oquaye, Hon. Ayikoi Otoo, and Hon. Gifty Kusi.

 

REPLACEMENT

The meeting decided that Mr. John Boadu, the current National Organizer should also act as NPP General Secretary.

 

...signed...

Nana Akomea

(Director of Communications)