General News of Saturday, 18 April 2015

Source: starrfmonline.com

NPP’s ethnocentric posture must change – Ampong

A former deputy Communications Director of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) Michael Ampong has said the posturing of the party’s leadership makes it difficult to fight ethnocentrism within its ranks.

According to him, the party is quick to condemn members who openly speak against conducts and comments that have the tendency put the party in tribal light.

Contributing to a panel discussion on Radio Gold’s Alhaji and Alhaji Saturday, the failed National Youth Organiser aspirant of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition said the party has for many years suffered electoral defeat in some areas of the country as a result of tribal comments made by some of its leading members in the past including, Victor Owusu.

“What is happening suggests that we (NPP) are not learning from history.

“If you talk about this, you are seen as a monster, a sellout; they call you all kind of names.

“When contesting for an election as political party wanting to have the mandate of the people, your posture, the party’s posture towards every shade of tribe must be seen to be positive and welcoming.

“Any tribal grouping that feels not being welcomed, you have antagonized yourself to them. And it won’t matter the quality of your message and personalities. So this our posture must change because people vote on perceptions,” he stated.

A founding member of the party, Yaw Osafo Maafo recently came under public condemnation over some tribal comments is alleged to have made in the Eastern region.