NPP must prevent Afoko from going to court – Dr Gyampo

Senior lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Dr. Ransford Gyampo has called on the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to prevent suspended Chairman, Paul Afoko from going to court.

He said the NPP must dialogue with Mr Afoko to prevent a protracted legal battle that may hurt the party.
According to Dr Gyampo, if Afoko goes to court it will create more confusion in the party.

“If the party is really serious of wining power in the 2016 general elections, then they must call him for better negotiations to avert further distractions in the party” Dr. Gyampo stated.

Mr. Paul Afoko broke his long silence on recent happenings within the party, announcing at a news conference Wednesday that he is going challenge his suspension in court.

According to him, his suspension by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and subsequent approval by the National Council of the party is unconstitutional.

However, Dr Gyampo said the NPP “leadership must as a matter of urgency sit down with Afoko over his grievances to find proper solutions in the party to ensure the party’s unity ahead of the crucial elections”.
Dr. Gyampo who is also a Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) was speaking on Adom Evening News Wednesday.
Dr. Ransford Gyampo also called on former President, John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor and the party’s Presidential Candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to step in to ensure peace in the party.
Paul Awintame Afoko was suspended by the National Executive Committee of the party last month after some members petitioned the party over his conduct.
Few weeks ago, the party’s National Council, which is the second highest decision making body of the party after congress, also voted unanimously to affirm the suspension.
The decision was taken after a marathon meeting on Thursday November 12, to study a forty-page appeal document forwarded to the party by Mr. Afoko.
Out of 77 people who voted at that meeting, 70 voted for the suspension to be upheld, six abstained from voting, while one voted for him to be reinstated.
But Afoko says he is convinced the processes used in suspending him were wrong and for that matter he is heading for court to seek redress.