Editor-in-Chief of the Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has commended delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for delegates for voting out immediate-past party scribe, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie.

According to Mr. Baako, despite Mr. Owusu Afriyie's good human relations, his leadership style as General Secretary made him a liability for the biggest opposition party.

Delegates of the NPP at last weekend's congress in Tamale, kicked out all but one of their executives in preparation for the next general elections in 2016.

Businessman, Paul Afoko and a former Presidential Spokesperson Kwabena Agyei Agyapong were elected National Chairman and General Secretary respectively at the congress attended by 5,000 delegates.

Only the National Women's Organiser, Otiko Afisa Djaba had her mandate renewed after a close contest with Ms Tina Mensah.

But speaking Saturday on Newsfile on Joy FM which was also live on the Joy News TV channel on Multi TV, the veteran political commentator stated that the "shake up" for Mr. Owusu Afriyie also known as Sir John, was timely.

"As for Sir John, I have to be honest, I really thought the party needed to do that shake up," Mr. Baako said.

"I think it was good that the party decided to say 'goodbye' to him [Sir John]... He is my very close friend [and] I like him a lot. As a person, I think he is a wonderful guy but as a General Secretary I think he created problems for the image" of the NPP.

                              

NDC's weapon

Meanwhile, Deputy Information Minister, Murtala Mohammed says the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) will capitalise on the accusations among aspirants as well as vituperations that preceded the Tamale congress.

He said the NDC will use those negative comments against the NPP when the campaigns for the 2016 general elections reach their peak.

"They gave us information, they armed us to discredit people who were contesting; what was going through their minds? That information they gave us we will use them and we will use them at the right time.

"... In fact some of the statements, they used them against Paul Afoko and co; we [NDC] didn't ask for them. As far as we are concerned we will use those information when the time comes."           

That notwithstanding, Murtala Mohammed is confident the NDC will be retained in power to prosecute it's better Ghana Agenda.

"We have no doubt in our mind that...at the end of the four years, the mandate of NDC and John Mahama will be renewed," he said.

             

NPP Member of Parliament for Tafo Pankrono in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei called for ceasefire among the various factions after the Tamale congress and focus on working towards resounding victory in 2016.

"...at the end of the day how best can we win 2016 elections? That's all that matters," he said.