The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has explained that it failed to participate in yesterday's Independence Day events because they got their invitation at a late hour. None of the bigwigs of the NPP, including its flag bearer Nana Akufo-Addo, the former president John Kufuor and his vice Alhaji Aliu Mahama was at the independence square. Joy News sources say Mr Kufuor was absent because he was bereaved. When contacted, NPP General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie (Sir John) claimed the late invitation was a deliberate attempt to exclude the NPP from the national event. To him, the late invite “…amounted to no invitation because if they (government) indeed wanted us to participate because it was a national event, they certainly would have submitted our invitation letters to us earlier than the Friday and for me it is regrettable." He said the government has missed all opportunities to bring some unity among those of diverse political persuasions and believes this a clear indication of the NDC government’s negative attitude towards its political opponents. Source: Joy News/Ghana