In an article cited by Ghanaweb.com on 28th July 2023, Alex Sarfo Kantanka, the Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Juaben Constituency of the Ashanti region, popularly known as Aluta, described an incident that he claimed revealed “divisions within the party”.
According to Alex Sarfo Kantanka and the misleading title, “3 pro-Bawumia chairmen were ‘sacked’ from Alan’s meeting in Ashanti Region”.
As vigilant and intelligent young NPP communicators who champion the cause of truth and fairness we reject this propaganda fueled claim and dismiss Chairman Kantanka’s attempt to attack the integrity and goodwill that Alan Kyerematen has amassed in his recent campaign for NPP Flagbearer.
Furthermore, we would like to highlight the hypocrisy and double standards of major elements within the NPP regarding the race for flagbearer in 2023. Simply, Chairman Kantanka’s interview falsely suggests that Alan Kyerematen’s campaign is one that is divisive and not welcoming to people with opposing views.
But the truth is that Chairman Kantaka’s interview on Wontumi FM (a known mouthpiece for one candidate in the race for Flagbearer) sought to spark controversy where there was none for his own political gain. Indeed his story was neither coherent nor substantial and was clearly an attempt to attack the enthusiasm, love and unity that Alan Kyerematen is inspiring among well meaning NPP executives especially in the Ashanti region his home.
On one hand Chairman Kantanka claims “that a meeting invitation was shared on a general NPP platform which he decided to attend”. However, in the same interview, he admits knowledge that the said meeting was intended for Party executives who particularly support Alan Kyerematen’s campaign.
Chairman Kantanka is quoted as saying “Yesterday, there was a message posted that Alan Kyerematen’s camp, led by Eugene, was calling for a meeting at Eugene’s office, located at Sobolo’s side”. In spite of this, in the same interview he claimed “However, I assumed it was a regular regional meeting, so I attended without thinking of anything else.”
Chairman Kantanka then claimed that when he arrived at the meeting someone “then informed me that I was not supposed to be part of the meeting, citing a list given to him as the reason that I am not part of the meeting. I inquired why they didn’t distinguish between those who were supposed to attend the meeting on the platform and those who were not, instead of allowing us to come only to be informed that we weren’t welcome.”
Chairman Kantanka also suggested that he was not catered for in terms of the traditions of the party because he supported another candidate. And yet in the same interview he claimed “So, when I was about to leave, he gave me an envelope for transportation and I went.”
During the interview on Wontumi FM, Kantanka expressed disappointment over how he was treated, emphasizing the need for unity within the party, especially as the party’s internal elections were approaching. And yet the same Chairman asking for Unity said….
“Let me speak the truth, I am no longer a child, I’m sixty-one-year-old I cannot lie for anything, for myself and my family everybody supports Wontumi, even if he is beheaded my wife and children will vote for him, and the same thing has to do with Bawumia that even if he is beheaded, my wife and children will vote for him, Kofi Agyei (Joe card), yourself and I were supporting Bawumia so why do you treat me this way for supporting Bawumia, you are just bringing division in the Ashanti region,” he added.
Lastly Chairman Kantanka asked, “we are calling for unity in our party and we are about to vote, so, if you tell your brother that he is not supposed to be part of a meeting that you have called, so, with this person following the said aspirant, can he come and help the party? Can he unite us?”
However, in place of an answer I would like to ask Chairman Kantanka a few questions that will bring light to the reality on the ground in the current race for NPP Flagbearer. Chairman Kantanka, if you are championing the cause of genuine Unity
- What do you have to say about the well-known harsh, intimidation and discrimination carried out by major elements in the NPP against Alan Kyerematen’s supporters?
- What do you say about the blatant whipping and financial blackmail of Constituency and polling station executives to vote for one candidate?
- What do you say of the unfairness and disrespect shown to the other presidential candidates in Ejisu, where the NPP headquarters (which is meant for all party members and elders) has been draped in the banners of one particular candidate?
I would like to end this submission with a proverb by Alan Dershowitz that I believe Chairman Kantanka and all NPP supporters can learn from. “Hypocrisy is not a way of getting back to the moral high ground. Pretending you’re moral, saying you’re moral is not the same as acting morally.”
We the Youth of NPP stand for Truth because only the truth can set us free.
Youth Communicators of Alan (YOCA)
Be Bold For Alan!