Kufuor Can Attend Mahama's Swearing-In

radio.com can confirm that the youth wing of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Young Patriots, have backed down from their earlier decision to prevent former President John Agyekum Kufuor from attending the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama as President of Ghana on January 7, 2013.
The Young Patriots had planned to besiege the Airport West residence of Mr Kufuor to articulate their disapproval for his decision to break ranks with the NPP which is boycotting the ceremony.
The office of Mr Kufuor had indicated that President Kufuor would attend the inauguration in his capacity as a former President of the country.
Clearly not enthused and perhaps worried over the propaganda spin that would be placed on ex-President Kufuor’s attendance of President Mahama’s inauguration, the Young Patriots in a strong protest stated: “We will not allow the NDC to use him for propaganda, to say former President Kufuor has betrayed Nana Akufo-Addo…We don’t want him (Kufuor) involved in this illegality because we describe this inauguration as an illegal inauguration so we will not allow him to go looking at his stature, where he has risen to, we will not allow that to happen.”
But the group seems to have softened their stance after a meeting with Mr Kufuor.
Read below a copy of the statement issued by the Young Patriots after they had met with the former president.The Young Patriots after a closed door meeting with former President Kufour have decided to step down our protest against his attending the inauguration of President Mahama on 7th January.
Our initial reaction was one of shock and disapproval; however upon further consultations and gaining a better understanding of his position in the meeting, we are satisfied with the position of the President though his and our position that President Mahama in collusion with Dr Afari Djan rigged the election still holds.
Our demonstration on 8th January 2013, to protest the swearing in of President Mahama still stands and we will present a petition to donor partners and foreign missions to the effect that the NDC and President Mahama will not accept the decision of the Supreme Court when judgment is delivered.
We are by this press statement calling on all our supporters to step down any effort aimed at preventing the former President from attending the event. He has our full support as he seeks to serve the national interest.
Any inconvenience caused him and the New Patriotic Party is deeply regretted.
SIGNED
Richard Nyamah
John Kumah
Adomako Baafi
Hopeson Adorye
Fred Amankwah Sarfo