Machetes fly at NPP press conference

Angry machete-wielding supporters of the main opposition New Patriotic Party stormed the premises of the party’s headquarters in Accra on Tuesday afternoon and disrupted a press conference that was being addressed by Chairman Paul Afoko.
Some of the youth allegedly vandalised a vehicle belonging to the party’s Women Organiser Otiko Djaba and also launched physical attacks on some party leaders.
Police officers had to rush to the party’s headquarters to restore order after chaos erupted about 30 minutes into the press conference.
Party supporters and leaders were seen running for cover to escape at the Asylum Down-based headquarters.
Some supporters were seen with blood stains on their shirts in the midst of the mayhem and pandemonium.
The violence follows days of divisive recriminations between two camps: that of Afoko and General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong on the one side; and the camp of first Vice Chairman Freddie Blay, party Elder Dr Amoako-Tuffuor, National Executive Committee Member F F Antoh, Northern Regional Chairman Daniel Bugri Naabu and a host of others on the other side, over disagreements concerning a recent appointments and dismissals.
Blay’s camp has accused Afoko’s faction of unilaterally appointing Deputy Communications Directors without consulting party structures. They are also not happy with a directive given to the acting Communication Director, Perry Okudzeto, by the General Secretary to proceed on his two-year accumulated leave.
Afoko and Agyepong were explaining their side of the story at the press conference when the violence erupted.
Journalists covering the event also had to run for cover as they faced weapon-wielding angry youth who paced up and down the corridors of the party headquarters. Those attending the press conference were stranded inside out of fear of getting harmed by the irate youth.
Personnel of the Ghana Police Service have arrived at the scene to restore order.
Credit: StarrFMonline.com