Agitations by some supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in connection with the appointment of District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives (MMDCEs) across the country is understandable following the massive work done by those supporters in ensuring a historic electoral victory last year, Nana Obiri Boahen, Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, has said.
According to him, the NPP will need to map out plans and strategies to accommodate these agitators and listen to their concerns.
His comments follow the besieging of the home of the party’s Greater Accra regional chairman, Ishmael Ashitey, by some Tema East NPP faithful to protest against what they said was his total bias in the selection of candidates for MMDCE positions.
Mr Ashitey, who is also the Greater Accra Regional Minister-designate, is accused of planting his favourites in the various positions. Some party members also accused the leaders of sidelining women in the appointment process.
Speaking in an interview with Chief Jerry Forson, host of Ghana Yensom, on Accra100.5FM on Tuesday February 14, Mr Obiri Boahen said: “The NPP hasn’t been able to win some parliamentary seats since 1992. However, in 2016, we were able to win some constituencies including Atebubu Amantim and so that tells you that the NPP has been able to make inroads due to the hard work done by the party and so they have the right to express concern about appointments, especially regarding Chief Executives.
“If they are expressing their sentiments, we need not accuse them of being influenced by some people with money. This is a human institution, and, so, we can’t do away with some of these things. Sometimes we must be very fair to our supporters. People have worked tirelessly to ensure the victory of the NPP and so it is understandable if they raise some concerns.
“On our part, as executives of the party, we will need to listen to them, although we may disagree with some of the issues they raise, but we should not insult them. We need not offend their sensibilities and their sentimentalities.”
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
