It was an amazing sight to behold
when the former executives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) handed over
to the new administration.
The handing over ceremony,
which took place at the conference room of the party’s headquarters at
Asylum Down, was held in an atmosphere of conviviality.
It was
preceded by a national steering committee meeting, which was chaired by
newly-elected Chairman, Paul Afoko, who has since taken over the running
of the party.
Present at the event were the newly-elected
General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Vice Chairmen of
the party, Freddie Blay, Sammy Crabbe and Fredrick Fredua Anto
respectively.
The rest included newly-elected National Organiser,
John Boadu, National Women Organiser, Otiko Afisa Djabah, who was
retained during the elections, Sammi Awuku, the National Youth
Organiser, Kwabena Abankwa Yeboah, the National Treasurer and Kamal-Deen
Abdulai.
Sir John mobbed
Former executives of the NPP,
including outgoing National Chairman, Jake Otanka Obestebi-Lammptey and
his colleague Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, who describes himself as ‘the only
Sir in Ghana’s politics,’ started arriving at the headquarters by 2pm.
Some
party faithful who had gathered at the forecourt of the party’s
headquarters, were excited upon seeing Sir John in his Ford Expedition
vehicle.
The former General Secretary was playing his favourite song ‘Yentie Obiaa’ composed by Daddy Lumba.
Virtually everybody at the place wanted to shake hands with Sir John with chants of ‘Shei Sir John.’
Also present was Emmanuel Attafuah, who was the acting National Youth Organiser after the resignation of Anthony Abayifaa Karbo.
Conspicuously
missing at the function were Fred Oware, T.B Damba, Sophia Horner Sam
former 1st, 2nd and 3rd National Vice Chairmen respectively, as well as
former National Organiser and National Treasurer, Alhaji Muctar Bamba
and Esther Ofori.
However, the absence of aforementioned
individuals did not affect ceremony, which was held behind closed doors
with media practitioners only permitted to take pictures of the handing
over of the gavel (the symbol of authority) from Jake to Afoko to
signify change in leadership.
After hours of talks behind closed doors, the old and new executives emerged from the conference room in an excited mood.
They posed for the cameras, after which some responded to questions from journalists.
Handing over
Former National Chairman of the NPP, Jake Obestebi-Lamptey was first to speak to the media.
Asked what transpired at the meeting, he stated, “We handed over; we told the new executives what the situation is.”
Explaining
further, he said, “Very friendly; we are all NPP members. The only
message we want people to get is that we are solidly behind the new
executives and everybody in NPP should also be solidly behind the new
executives.”
He urged the rank and file of the party to bury
their differences in order to win the major battle to defeat the ruling
National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2016 polls.
On his
part, Chairman Paul Afoko said, “The handing over ceremony went well…and
we worked in great spirit of cooperation in the beginning of the
handover and it’s on course.
“This is just the beginning of the process, we will continue next week,” he noted.
“The proper handing over ceremony has taken place but of course the backroom work is yet to be completed.”
Mr. Afoko gave the assurance that the team would soon come out with a programme for next quarter of the year.
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