A bitter row has erupted within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after Member of Parliament for Effiduase/Asokore constituency Nana Ayew Afriyie, has launched a devastating broadside against the party’s leadership.
Afriyie’s explosive outburst has exposed deep-seated divisions and resentment within the party’s ranks.
In a withering critique, Ayew Afriyie accused the NPP’s top brass – including MP for Asokwa, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua, and National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye – of callously “selling out” the Ashanti Region, the party’s traditional stronghold for just a deputy minority leader position.
According to Afriyie, the Ashanti Region, despite its significant contributions to the party, has been denied key leadership positions.
He questioned the value of the region being relegated to mere deputy minority leader, citing the lack of representation on critical issues and leadership in parliamentary business
“No one should be happy about the enormity of betrayal to Ashanti by some selfish few of us and the selling of strength and rightful position in leadership to other regional caucuses”,Afriyie stated.
In a strongly-worded statement, Afriyie singled out Patricia Appiagyei, saying “You are a very selfish and a big betrayal to Ashanti caucus and council. It’s all about you and not what we all stand for.”
Excerpts of a WhatsApp chat intercepted by Kumasimail.com on the Ashanti NPP Members of Parliament page with the group name ‘Official MPs and PCs Platform’ read:
“Mama Pat:
You are a vey selfish and a big betrayal to Ashanti caucus and council. It’s all about you and not what we all stand for. In 2008 when we lost elections Ashanti came together and took the minority”
“Today you, Koduah and Nana B have sold us the region with the largest caucus for just a deputy leader”.
He also questioned Appiagyei’s role in the caucus meeting, saying “Why didn’t you argue for the leader so it would have brought the matter to rest? You sat in till a determination of what we wanted was established.”
The MP expressed his disappointment and frustration with the party’s decision-making process, which he believes has led to the marginalization of the Ashanti Region.
Ayew Afriyie lamented the lack of representation of the Ashanti Region in key leadership positions.
“So far, our toil and suffering have not made Ashanti fit for a leader or Chief Whip. What is our value, then, for being relegated to just a deputy minority leader?” he questioned.
He again lambasted Asokwa MP, Patricia Appiagyei for accepting the deputy minority leader position.
“You have never spoken on any issue from this position on the floor, nor have you led any business. This is a shameful role for a distinguished group like ours,” Afriyie charged.
Afriyie’s comments also alluded to a perceived betrayal of former Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, implying that he suffered a “coup d’etat” at the hands of Majority leader Afenyo Markin, General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong and President of the Republic Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo.
“I thought Hon Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu suffered a coup detat in the hands of Afenyo, Koduah and President Akuffo Addo and this was the time to correct it”.
Afriyie criticized the party’s leadership for ignoring the interests of the Ashanti Region, citing the example of the National Council meeting where the region’s numbers were deemed insignificant. He alleged that the Greater Accra group was favored over the Ashanti group in the allocation of leadership positions.
“In National council yesterday. They said our numbers don’t matter by all those who wanted us for deputy. Yet when it got to the 2nd deputy whip… the greater Accra group led by Lord Commey and Prince their organizer shouted…Greater Accra, greater Accra & Jerry Ahmed a new entrant was given. Why not Mavis Nkansah Boadu?? as this was our position!“.
The MP warned that the party’s actions would have consequences, stating that “we shall live to regret this sell-out and needless trade-off!”.
Ayew Afriyie expressed concern and wondered what wrongs the people of Ashanti Region had committed against outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and what he termed as the ‘Akyem Mafias.’
“what really is the sins of Ashanti in the hands of Akuffo Addo and Akyem mafias. Total suppression of Ashanti” Afriyie noted.
Ayew Afriyew pleaded that the Ashanti Region will no longer compromise its rightful position, unity, and strength for inferior gains.
“Never again should we, as a caucus, trade off our rightful position for lower bargains!”, he declared.
The MP lamented over the region’s poor development and business prospects, attributing them to the caucus’s willingness to settle for less.
Afriyie emphasized “We have suffered enough. Poor development, businesses, etc… we needed not to have sold our value for such a low er bargain”.
Background;
The incoming opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has released the list of its leaders for Ghana’s next Parliament.
According to the list, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who previously served as Majority Leader, will now take on the role of Minority Leader.
Patricia Appiagyei, the Member of Parliament for Asokwa Constituency in the Ashanti Region, has been appointed Deputy Minority Leader, while Frank Annoh-Dompreh, MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, will retain his position as Minority Chief Whip.
Other appointments include Habib Iddrisu as 1st Deputy Minority Whip, while the Second Deputy Whip went to the new MP-elect for Weija Gbawe, Jerry Ahmed Shaib.
The only new person in the NPP caucus leadership is Davis Ansah Opoku, who replaces the outgoing 2nd Deputy Whip, Alex Tetteh, who lost his seat.
Source: www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
