A founding member of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. NyahoNyaho-Tamakloe, has descended heavily on the leadership of the party, describing it as a dictatorial regime with no campaign message.
According to him divisions in the NPP is gradually driving the party into a fragmented entity that cannot win an election.
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe spoke to Kafui Dey on GH Today, a current affairs programme on Accra-based GHONE television.
”I will never give up on the NPP”, he said revealing the party is currently bleeding profusely.
“if we are not careful, the party will be destroyed and when NPP is destroyed the democratic institution of this country [will also be destroyed]”.
The discussion with Kafui Dey started with brief comments about the demise of former Chairman, Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, whom Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe described as a firm, vibrant experienced and influential founding member.
He also described the suspension of NPP Chair, Paul Afoko, General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong and 2nd Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe — who were duly elected by party delegates — as a big threat to Ghana’s democracy.
Asked who caused these woes, the medical practitioner and former military officer blamed it on the current leadership. He paid tribute to late B J Da Rocha and said strong characters like him wouldn’t have looked on while the party is mismanaged.
He however noted that NPP still has giants like Samuel Odoi Sykes, a prominent lawyer, K G Osei Bonsu, Appiah Minkah and the likes who can still join the call for order.
He expressed surprise at ethnocentric statements made by leading members of the party like MP for Assin North, Kennedy Agyapong and former Finance Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo, which he observed have not been openly condemned.
According to him, there is selective treatment of issues by the party leadership.
“I don’t think it’s all lost,” he says.
“I must say for reasons not known to me, those who should talk in the party have all decided to keep quiet”, he said.
On NPP’s chances in the 2016 elections he said:”Nowhere in political history, at least what I have read, have I seen such a divided front of a political party that has won an election. Nowhere.”
What is the message of the NPP now? He quizzed, wondering if former President John Kufuor has also been virtually silenced.
“I say things as they are; I will not say things that are untrue just because John is my nephew,” he stated.
“We have a tattered front. Kufuor is a gentleman, calm and cool. These are the type of leadership this country needs. This country doesn’t need extremists. This country needs a cool tempered person. To me Kufuor, Mahama and late Limann are on the same level and these are the type of leaders we need for this country,” he said.
“People have their ways of governing. Nkrumah had his style and focused on building infrastructure, the same thing is what President Mahama is doing if people will only understand”, according to the suspended NPP founding member.
“You see when I hear people talking about corruption I laugh because those who shout on the rooftops are the most corrupt people in this country. Recently we’ve seen an MP [Afenyo Markin] negotiating with people, a banker to rob the nation – classic example. Has he come to explain himself to the people of this country and yet he will be the first to shout corruption, corruption, corruption”.
Asked if NPP is desperate for power, he answered: “Nana Akufo-Addo has no campaign message. That is why he is relying on former President Kufuor’s achievements.”
The renowned medical doctor and football administrator said he has known the NPP flagbearer for the past 50 years and said the party is doomed if Akufo-Addo’s current leadership style continues.
By: www.dailyviewgh.com
