1. I have read the write-up that has been widely circulated by some people aimed at inciting the Party’s base against the Party’s National Treasurer- Dr Dwamena.
2. Their basis for doing so is their allegation that he has flouted Steering Committee, NEC and National Council decisions and that he has also publicly criticised the National Conference decisions.
3. As a firm believer in the UP Tradition and someone who played an active role in the Danquah-Busia Club, these allegations got me worried, and so I took time to look into them.
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4. Then I realised that it is a typical case of ‘giving the dog a bad name to justify killing it’. The Party’s Treasurer has not flouted any decision as it has been alleged.
5. So I decided to share my thoughts and my findings, at least, as an old man, I will have my conscience clear.
6. In the first place, I looked for and read the petition the Dr Dwamena sent to the NEC through the National Chairman where he raised the issue that the said motion 38 was never part of the proposals discussed at NEC and National Council and as such it was not part of the over 300 proposals circulated to the constituencies for consideration before conference. I did some digging and realised that indeed, what the young man is saying is true.
7. It appears it was added to the list of motions on the blind side of everyone. This is a serious matter that must be looked into instead of trying to attack the person who has drawn the Party’s attention to it.
8. Who added it? Why was it not presented and discussed like the orders? And why was the motion not circulated to delegates before they arrived in Accra for the conference?
9. Is it a case that those who sneaked motion 38 into the list of motions knew that the Party base would reject it if proper discussions were held on it, and so they kept it hidden until the last minute?
10. These are very serious matters worth considering. They are serious yet very sensitive, and so most people would be quiet and watch on as wrongdoings are committed against the Party. It takes someone who is courageous and has the best interest of the Party at heart to be able to speak up in such a situation, and I salute the young man for exhibiting such courage to confront such an issue legitimately.
11. Legitimately in the sense that he used the Party’s internal grievances procedures as outlined in Article 4 of the Party’s constitution. This cannot be termed an act of indiscipline.
12. In fact, I am impressed with how he has gone about this petition. I have not heard him speak on the radio or TV on this matter. That, to me, is a mark of discipline and political maturity because he has given reverence to the NEC to sit on the matter and not taken it out to the media. Such a person is an asset to the Party and not a liability, as some people want us to believe.
13. After concluding that the young man rather displayed discipline, courage and integrity in the way he has gone about his petition on motion 38, I tried to understand why some people were levelling allegations of indiscipline against him and that the same people were clamouring for him to be suspended.
14. I then found out that there is a long-standing rift between him and the incumbent General Secretary, Lawyer Kodua. It does appear that Lawyer Kodua feels that Dr Dwamena would potentially contest him for the General Secretary position, and so right from the beginning of their administration, there was mistrust between the two. I got to know that the General Secretary, in an attempt to subdue the National Treasurer, deliberately frustrated the work of Dr Dwamena. The National Treasurer, being a strong-headed person, also decided not to dance to the tune of Lawyer Kodua’s music.
15. The actions of the two have greatly affected this current administration. Some of the policy proposals brought onboard by the National Treasurer, such as the accident insurance proposal, the monthly allowances to all executives of the Party, monthly returns, et,c are all very good and feasible proposals that would have benefited the Party if they had not been deliberately blocked by Lawyer Kodua. Perhaps, the benefits would have reached the majority of NPP members and sympathisers who would have gone the extra mile in campaigning for the Party, and we would not be in opposition.
16. I got to know, again, that this rift became worse during the Presidential Primaries in 2023. During the primaries, it was widely known that Dr Dwamena was not with the camp of Dr Bawumia. I am told he remained neutral (my intel, however, tells me he was with Alan Kyeremateng and later Kennedy Agyapong). Lawyer Kodua and the majority of the National Officers and Regional Chairpersons, and other executive members were with Bawumia’s camp.
17. Realising this, Lawyer Kodua explored the opportunity to settle scores with Dr Dwamena by painting him as an anti-Bawumia, which led to him (Dr Dwamena) being sidelined in the 2024 campaign activities.
18. I ordinarily would have been quiet about this, as it does not directly relate to me. However, I was quiet in 2015 during the Afoko – Kwabena Agyapong matter, where innocent people were painted black just so they could be sacrificed, and I have regretted that I did not speak up.
19. As old as I am now, I cannot keep quiet as such a scheme is repeated. I feel obligated to draw the attention of all who may be interested to the antecedents of the calls for the suspension of the National Treasurer. These calls are borne out of ill motive and are meant to help an individual settle his scores.
20. The calls are also meant to silence dissenting voice(s) in the Party, as many in the Bawumia Team see the National Treasurer as being anti-Bawumia and that getting rid of him ahead of the January 31st Presidential Primaries will inure to the advantage of the Bawumia Team.
21. This is not right! This is not how we envisaged the NPP. We are champions of inclusive and participatory democracy.
22. We oppose gagging and encourage freedom of speech. Let us not continue down this path.
23. The young man has not displayed any sign of indiscipline by submitting a petition. He has not taken the Party to court. He is respecting the grievance procedures in the Party to have an important issue addressed.
24. As a Party, we need such courageous people who will be bold to voice out dissenting views for us all to PAUSE, LOOK AND LISTEN.
25. I wish to use this opportunity to caution all those behind such a scheme to ‘crucify’ the Party’s National Treasurer to desist from it and look at the broader interest of the Party.
26. To Lawyer Kodua, my advice to you is to engage your National Treasurer. You do not need to be friends to work together. If indeed you are behind these schemes, I advise you to stop them.
27. To Dr Dwamena, my advice to you is to be firm and courageous in your work for the Party, but avoid confrontational situations. Where dialogue can work, choose that option. Engage your General Secretary behind the scenes. You do not need to be friends to work together. Where possible, engage the Council of Elders so that you do not always find yourself at the crossroads. You have raised very valid points, but try to engage and dialogue with the Elders to find an amicable solution to the issues.
28. To the Bawumia Team, do not ignore someone just because he allegedly did not support you in a previous contest. Rather than getting closer to him to understand the issues so you can settle whatever differences that may be there. From the little I have researched on Dr Dwamena, the National Treasurer, I am convinced that he is a great asset to this Party. Get him closer, and I believe he will be useful to your campaign.
29. At age 74 years, I do not do much except be home and offer advice where needed. If it may be of any help, someone should kindly inform both Lawyer Kodua and Dr Dwamena that I would like to meet them to resolve whatever issues they may have.
Thank you.
Opanin Kwadwo Bunso Kontoh
Yawjamfikrom
Ahafo
0592090000