Dr. Winfred Richard Anane, former Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, and a very close associate of Former President John Agyekum Kuffour has accused Hackman Owusu Agyeman, Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Council of Elders, of actively seeking to block Awentami Paul Afoko’s intention to contest the NPP National Chairmanship position.
Paul Afoko, who once served as the party’s National Chairman, publicly declared two weeks ago his plan to run for the position again after a significant hiatus.
According to Dr. Anane, this announcement has stirred anxiety and resistance among certain party figures.
In an interview on Abusua965FM’s program AbusuaNkommo with Kojo Marfo, Dr. Anane alleged that Mr. Owusu Agyeman is orchestrating efforts to prevent Mr. Afoko from being allowed to contest.
He stated, “As I speak now, Hackman Owusu Agyeman is moving around trying to make sure Afoko does not contest the upcoming National Chairmanship race.”
Dr. Anane criticized these tactics, questioning their fairness: “What’s the meaning of this? Afoko wants to come and contest, yet they say they won’t accept him and are mobilizing support to stop his candidature. If you oppose him, let the polls decide, but you don’t go around mobilizing people to forcibly stop his participation.”
When asked to clarify if the entire party was opposed to Afoko’s bid, Dr. Anane noted, “It’s not the party, but one or two individuals who are unhappy. I specifically said Hackman Owusu Agyeman, not the party.”
He further refuted claims of Mr. Owusu Agyeman’s status as a party stalwart, asserting, “He’s not a stalwart as you want to believe. A true stalwart seeks the progress of the party.”
Meanwhile, the NPP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is set to convene soon to review the candidacy of the suspended former Chairman.
Haruna Mohammed, Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, told the Daily Graphic that Mr. Afoko remains a party member as he has not joined or formed another party since his suspension in 2015.
Mr. Mohammed added that the party has already granted amnesty to several suspended members and is confident that the NEC will similarly assess Mr. Afoko’s case.
“Since his suspension as party chairman, Mr. Afoko has conducted himself well and has not done anything to bring the party’s name into disrepute,” he emphasized.
Source: www.Kumasimail,com /Kwadwo Owusu
