NPP Vice Chairperson Rita Talata Asobayire Denies Fabricated Quotes

Madam Rita Talata Asobayire, the 2nd Vice Chairperson of Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP), has vehemently denied making disparaging remarks about the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong. The alleged quotes, circulating on social media and reported by Opera News, claimed Asobayire described Frimpong as an “armchair leader” who failed to hold appointees accountable.
Asobayire swiftly responded, labeling the quotes as “complete fabrication” and “political mischief.” She emphasized that she had not interacted with the Oquaye Committee, nor had she made any statements to them, as she was out of the jurisdiction during the meetings.
The NPP stalwart demanded an immediate retraction and apology from Opera News, instructing her lawyers to take legal action if her demands are not met. Asobayire stressed that she and Frimpong enjoy an excellent working relationship, praising his leadership style as firm and politically astute.
This incident highlights the challenges of misinformation in the digital age and the potential consequences of spreading false information. Asobayire’s swift response demonstrates her commitment to protecting her reputation and upholding the integrity of the NPP.
Read the full statement below:
*Rita Talata Asobayire (2nd Vice Chairperson of NPP) writes…*
My attention has been drawn to a statement making rounds on social media purporting to be a direct quotation coming from me and said to have been captured on Page 66 of the Oquaye Committee Report. The statement alleged that I had told the Oquaye Committee that our General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong “came across as an armchair leader – uninspiring and seemingly unable to keep Appointees accountable”.
This statement attributed to me was also published by Opera News, an online news portal under the headline, “Rift in NPP leadership: Oquaye Report Exposes Cracks as Vice Chairperson Slams General Secretary”. The publication went further to say that I had told the Committee that the inactions of the General Secretary, “contributed significantly to the party’s poor performance”.
I wish to place on record that I made no such statement anywhere. It is complete fabrication by whoever may have authored it for political mischief. As a matter of fact, I have NOT interacted with the Oquaye Committee and have NOT made any appearance before the Committee. I was actually NOT in the jurisdiction at the time the Committee met with the National Executives, and this fact was duly communicated to the Committee.
Beyond that, I am also very much aware that the Party has NOT yet disclosed nor released any portion of the Oquaye Committee’s Report to anybody, and so, all the quotes out there purporting to be from the Report and which are being circulated on social media mainly by activists of the NDC, are completely FALSE. The quote attributed to me is therefore not an exception.
However, given the wide publicity it has received, I take a serious view of the conduct of the author(s) and all those publishing or republishing the statement in the media including Opera News. I demand an immediate cessation of this reprehensible conduct. In the case of Opera News, I demand an immediate retraction and unqualified apology from the publishers.
I have given express instructions to my lawyers to proceed to court to vindicate my rights in the event that my demands are not met. Finally, for the avoidance of doubt, I wish to state emphatically that the General Secretary and I have had an excellent working relationship. His leadership style is marked by firmness and political astuteness. It is therefore inconceivable that I could pass such uncomplimentary verdict on him.
…End…
RITA TALATA ASOBAYIRE
NATIONAL 2nd VICE CHAIRPERSON, NPP