There are reports that some elements involved in the Agyapa Royalties deal, paid some executives of the National Democratic Party (NDP) to organize the press conference at Alisa Hotel in Accra.
Part of the money, was also used to buy airtime on some radio stations; Asaase Radio, Citi FM and Asempa FM among others, to do a live broadcast to criticize the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.
In the wake of the bereavement of its flag bearer, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, many had hoped that the NDP was going to announce her withdrawal from the race or give details of the party’s 2020 campaign strategy, following the resumption of political activities after the one week break in observance of the death of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.
Additional reports are that Mrs. Rawlings, was neither informed nor gave her blessings to the press conference, hence the party’s Secretary General’s struggle to make a definite pronouncement on whether she is withdrawing or resuming the campaign with less than two weeks to the election.
Ahead of the NDP press conference, some anti-Mahama elements were on Facebook hyping it with claims that it was going to be explosive.
Same elements, had used their closeness to the Rawlingses to get influence, make money and also acquire political appointment from both the NDC and the now New Patriotic Party (NPP).
With Mr Rawlings gone, it appears they are repositioning their remaining political entrepreneurial interests.
Meanwhile, the NDC has cautioned communicators against responding to the press conference by the NDP.
According to the NDC, the presser is an attempt to divert attention from the stinking Agyapa scandal, Martin Amidu’s resignation and matters arising from same.
A communique, signed by the National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, indicated the caveat is to all communicators in all 16 regions.
“Let’s focus on propagating the superior policies and programmes that John Mahama and the party have for Ghanaians.
“Also, let’s focus our energies on amplifying the stinking Agyapa scandal, Martin Amidu’s resignation and death threats on his life, and other corruption and nepotistic scandals being supervised by President Akufo-Addo,” the statement noted.
The NDP’s Monday afternoon press conference, among other things, dismissed reports that its presidential candidate, Nana Konadu Rawlings, had withdrawn from the December 7 election.
It also laid emphasis on the legacy of late ex-President Jerry Rawlings, which they said, there have been attempts by some members of the NDC to destroy.
The NDP, had slammed flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, accusing him of taking advantage of the death of former President Rawlings to make political gains ahead of the upcoming elections.
The party, made the allegation at a press conference today, Monday, November 23, 2020. It thus urged Ghanaians not to fall for such gimmick.
General Secretary of the NDP, Alhaji Mohammed Frimpong, who addressed the media also said the NDC is being hypocritical.
According to him, the NDC is utilizing the death of the husband of NDP flagbearer, to resurrect the NDC’s “dead campaign”.
“With what he did with the demise of former President Mills, he should not be allowed to do the same with the death of our beloved, former president Rawlings. And Ghanaians should not oblige to that. The hypocrisy of the NDC when Jerry John Rawlings was alive, [was such that] John Mahama desperately wanted to silence him and now that Rawlings is no more, Mahama finds it expedient to utilize his death to galvanize support for his weak base within the NDC rank and file and the country at large to salvage his 2020 campaign which is going nowhere.”
“Suddenly, the individuals within the NDC under the current leadership of John Mahama who publicly vilified Rawlings have rediscovered a new voice proclaiming themselves to the true adherent of his ideals and those who used foul languages against Rawlings are now hailing him.”
Meanwhile, the party says its flagbearer, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, had not pulled out of the upcoming presidential elections.
“This is fake news and it should be regarded as such. Our leader has not given any information to that effect,” Alhaji Frimpong said.
Earlier reports claimed that Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings had withdrawn from the race due to the death of her husband, former President Jerry John Rawlings.
But the party dismissed the claims and attributed it to its detractors.
Source: theheraldghana.com
