A Senior Lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Dr Bossman Asare, has downplayed the effect the absence of Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong at Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s press conference will have on the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He adduced that the conference was for the press and it was not obligatory for each and every member of the National Executive Committee to be present.

Nana Addo’s conference on Friday was seen as a gesture of unity among top ranks of the executive but National Chairman Paul Afoko and General Secretary Kwabena Agyepong were conspicuously missing.

Communications Director Nana Akomea explained that the two had travelled to Kumasi for a private business.

But the two were apparently in town with a message from Mr Afoko - making rounds on social media - purporting he was sidelined for the conference.

The two have come under pressure following calls from the rank and file of the party for them to step aside over the death of Upper East Region Chairman Adams Mahama.

Perceptions are rife the two are working against the aspirations of the leader, Nana Addo, to be president.

Therefore, their absence at Friday’s conference – which had all other executives present – fuelled speculations over the deep rift between them.

But speaking on TV3’s News 360 on Friday, Dr Asare said Nana Addo’s call was not only good for the NPP but for the country as a whole.

According to him, all persons calling for the resignation of Mr Afoko and Mr Agyepong appeared to be doing so under the banner of Nana Addo and so, for him to call a ceasefire is a step in the right direction.