The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has issued a directive to all its members, instructing them to refrain from discussing internal party matters that may create disaffection and unrest within the party in the media and other public platforms.
The directive, signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, acknowledged the disappointment and emotional distress among members following the party’s defeat in the last election.
The statement noted that while many members have publicly expressed their frustrations, it is now time for calm and unity.
“As an officer of the Party, mandated by the Party’s Constitution under Article 10(7)(5) to coordinate the activities and operations of the Party, please note that all Party members are hereby directed to immediately cease discussing Party issues that create unrest, negativism, and disaffection in the media and other related platforms,” the directive stated.
The statement follows recent outbursts by the former Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya Constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo over certain occurrences in the party.
For instance, Sarah Adwoa Safo is deemed to have broken her silence on her decision to abstain from voting on the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) in 2022.
According to the former lawmaker, she has no regrets about her choice.
Speaking on Ekosii Sen on Asempa FM, the former Gender Minister explained that her decision was based on her conviction that the E-Levy would not benefit Ghana and would instead impose hardships on citizens.
“I made that principled decision,” she said adding that her decision was heavily influenced by consultations with her constituents, particularly church members in the Dome Kwabenya area, who expressed concerns about the negative impact the levy would have on their livelihoods.
She described being torn between her loyalty to her political party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and her commitment to the people she represented.
The former MP stressed that her decision was principled and rooted in her desire to prioritize the interests of her constituents. She expressed pride in her choice, stating that going against the concerns of her church and community would have left them disappointed.
Madam Safo also called for more principle-minded voting on the floor of Parliament, urging lawmakers to prioritize their convictions over party directives.
But Mr. Kodua won’t have any more of that discussions in the media.
The General Secretary in the statement further emphasized the importance of upholding the party’s values and protecting its reputation, citing Article 3(5) of the NPP’s Constitution, which enjoins members to promote and defend the good name of the party.
In a bid to enforce this directive, the party leadership at the national, regional, and constituency levels will refer any member who violates the order to the appropriate disciplinary committees for necessary action.
The directive is seen as part of a broader effort to maintain internal cohesion and focus on strengthening the party’s prospects moving forward.