NPP chairman fired

As trouble continues to loom within the "elephant" family in the North-Dayi Constituency on Akpini land in the Volta Region, the New Patriotic Party Chairman for that constituency, Mr. Andy Lartey has been sacked and the party office in the North-Dayi Constituency has since been locked.

According to The Independent, the actions have been taken by over 80 polling station chairmen that thronged the office to pass a vote of no confidence in him.

Mr. Andy Lartey was deposed on Thursday, October 18, 2007, after he was summoned to the party office by the executives to answer a series of allegations that were leveled against him by the North Dayi NPP polling station chairmen.

The vote of no confidence passed by 80 of the polling station chairmen, according to the paper, were based on a series of allegations the deposed chairman was allegedly unable to defend himself against. ‘In essence, they affirmed, he failed to exonerate himself properly.’

Some of the important allegations captured in the letter are that, Mr. Andy Lartey, since he was voted into office, has been a dictator and "a jack of all trade" person, and they explained that, he has hijacked the duties of the rest of the executives of the party and performs all by himself.

Lartey was allegedly unable to account for GH¢400 (¢4 million) that accompanied a corn mill, both a donation to the party to set up a small business to support the running of the party office there.

They lamented that, not until recently, they were not aware that a corn mill accompanied by the money had been donated to the constituency.

They revealed that, a brand new motorbike that was also donated to the party has also been hijacked by the chairman, who has placed it under his bed. According to the aggrieved chairmen, all efforts to convince him to release the motorbike to be used for party activities fell on deaf ears."

They also charged Mr. Andy Lartey with what they described as "misplacement of the party's priorities in the constituency."

The polling station chairmen complained that, "From the look of things, our chairman is only seeking his personal interest, while looking on to see the party ... destroyed in the constituency."

They then went on to state that, the last straw that broke the camel's back was when he (Andy Lartey) went behind the constituency executive to change the object of a recent offer of a business assistance programme for the constituency from a mini-bus to a tractor.

They alleged that, after they were hinted of Mr. Andy Lartey's intention, they heard from reliable sources that, he (Andy Lartey) wanted to use the tractor on his personal farm at Kpando.

According to them, their action to remove Mr. Andy Lartey from office was informed by what they termed "the unbecoming [behaviour] of our chairman."

Other charges listed in complaints against the chairman include poor leadership and causing disaffection amongst party members in the constituency.

They stated further that, Mr. Andy Lartey has displayed disrespect for "constituted authority" by failing to remain honest to them.

They therefore cautioned the National Executive of the New Patriotic Party not to deal with such a personality.

They also cautioned all parliamentary aspirants that will be coming into the North Dayi Constituency not to deal with him.

They directed that, they have appointed the 1st Vice Chairman of the party in the constituency, Mr. Edward Seshie, to steer the affairs of the party until further notice.

The Independent said the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama has meanwhile donated several bags of rice to the Moslem communities in the North Dayi Constituency, but that donation was tagged "Andy Lartey's support for Moslem communities."

According to the paper, the feuding polling station chairmen have tagged that act taking credit for what one has not done. They reminded the good people of the zongo communities that, the bags of rice that were given out to them recently are actually from Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama.

The paper said the motor bike in the custody of Mr. Andy Lartey has been retrieved by the angry polling station chairmen.

Reacting to the allegations levelled against him, Mr Lartey said the decision to pass a vote of no confidence in him is in violation of the party's constitution adding that, as far as he is concerned, he is still the chairman of the NPP in North Dayi Constituency.

According to him, the move is a calculated attempt by some disgruntled elements within the party to discredit him.

He also denied the allegation that, the constituency office had been locked up pointing out that some of his executives are still working in the office.

"Those people have been paid to discredit me but I'm not perturbed", he said.