The New Patriotic Party’s National Executive Committee and National Council have referred all petitions regarding Hon. Kennedy Agyapong’s comments to the National Discipline Committee, giving the committee *two weeks to present its report.
Speaking after today’s NPP National Council meeting at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, *NPP National Organiser Henry Nana Boakye, aka Nana B*, said the move was procedural and constitutional.
“Had competitions from some individuals, party people, and then also even some members of parliament, so constitutionally and procedurally, National Executive Committee and National Council referred the matter to the Discipline Committee, which is chaired by Honorable Awuku Nkansa, Regional Minister,” Nana B said.
He confirmed timelines were issued: “We said two weeks. In two weeks they must present their report to the National Executive Committee through the General Secretary. So we’re waiting for their work. We have referred all the petitions to them. We have given them two weeks to report back.”
“We Refer Petitions With Merit”
Asked if the petitions had merit, Nana B explained the party’s process: “Mean, is that for NEC and the National Council, you must find at least some level of merit to not throw it away before referring to the discipline committee, right? I mean, once they are petty things, what is important is that you have to refer whatever the merits are. The most important thing is that the report from the Discipline Committee will be a subject matter for NEC and National Council to consider afterwards.”
He said petitions came from “some individuals, some party people, and then also some members of parliament,” but declined to give numbers: “Many petitions? No, no, no, not at all. We were just told that there have been some petitions, and from some party persons, and then also some members of parliament.”
The party wants the matter closed quickly due to anticipation among supporters. “That is the more reason why National Executive Committee and National Council put a timeline on it. We said two weeks, because we also know the kind of anticipation from party people. So we wanted to make sure that we deal with this matter very swiftly,” Nana B said.
He urged calm: “We would entreat all our supporters to remain calm. They should exercise maximum restraint and wait for the outcome of this report, which will be considered by National Executive Committee and National Council. And we should not forget, National Council is the second highest decision-making body of the party.”
Elections Timeline Stays on Course
On party elections, Nana B said preparations are on track. Constituency elections are next month, with nominations open and vetting underway.
“We anticipate very smooth, very clean exercise. We have already formed elections committee headed by some national representatives, and so far I think that it’s been very good. It’s been very clean. We’re expecting smooth elections, just as we have experienced with the presidential primaries and the polling station elections.”
He outlined the calendar: “Constituency elections next month. In July, in August, we’ll be having the regional elections. In September, we’ll be having the national elections as well.”
On Supporters’ Noise at Alisa Hotel
Nana B said he could not comment on reports of supporters making noise outside the meeting venue. “I was in there the whole time, so whatever happened outside, I cannot speak to it. I did not see it. I don’t really want to comment on it when I don’t have the full details. But if anybody at all, they were protesting, however, it’s a democratic tool.”
Next steps: The Discipline Committee chaired by Hon. Amoako Atta is expected to submit its report to NEC and National Council within two weeks, after which the party will communicate its decision on Hon. Kennedy Agyapong’s comments.
