Peprah Quits Politics, And.....

Mr. Peter Kwasi Wiafe Pepah leading member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry has resigned from the party.

In a letter addressed to the general secretary of the party and copied to the press as well as the party's constituency and Regional executive Mr.

Pepera indicated that he has been compelled to quit active party politics.

"This is to enable me to concentrate on my work in the private sector", said Mr. Peprah.

He also expressed in the letter his intention to work actively in the private sector organisations to help realise President J. A. Kufuor's vision of the Golden Age for Business of Ghana.

"In particular, it is my intention to work with Private sector organisations to help achieve H. E. The President's stated objective of the Golden Age of Business for Ghana", he noted.

Mr. Pepera further noted that his continued stay in the party as an active member of the leading opposition party in the country would clearly conflict with his current plan to contribute his quota to national development in the particular area in which he is to perform.

"Being an active member of a leading opposition party would clearly be at variance with my declared objectives in this regard", Mr. Peprah concluded.

Six months after the defeat of the NDC in the last presidential and Parliamentary elections Mr. Vincent Assiseh, the party's formidable former press secretary announced his resignation from the party and from active politics amid controversy, referring to the NDC more as a machine for winning political power than a democratic political institution that accommodates all shades of political opinion.

Mr. Huudu Yahaya, the general secretary of the NDC was said to have travelled when Chronicle called at the NDC headquarters for his comments.

The Deputy general secretary of the party Hon. Kofi Attoh, could also not be reached on phone after persistent calls to the NDC headquarters.

Prior to Mr. Vincent Assiseh's resignation, Hon. Austin Gamey, former Minister for Employment and Social Welfare announced his resignation from the NDC and from active politics.

In a press release, Hon. Austin Gamey stated that he was quitting active politics to devote his time for his private business.

Another prominent member of the NDC who has also announced his resignation is the former highly respected Minister for Trade and Industry, Mrs. Emma Mitchell.

Even though she cited personal reasons for her resignation, speculations were that Mrs Emma Mitchel's resignation from the NDC related to a long standing feud between her and the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings over an alleged $50,000 gift she was accused of diverting.

.... Seeks Reinstatement As Executive Member Of AGI

Former deputy Trade and Industry Minister, Peter Wiafe Peperah who announced his resignation from active politics on Wednesday, is reportedly seeking reinstatement as treasurer of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).

Mr Peperah resigned his position at the AGI to take up political appointment in 1998 in conformity with the Association’s constitution, which bars council members from active politics. Mr Peperah told JOYFM that his decision to quit active politics was a business decision, but maintained that he is still a card-bearing member of the opposition National Democratic Congress.

Mr Peperah who is the managing director of Paramount Distilleries Limited, an alcoholic beverage producing company says, with his links with the Private Enterprises Foundation, his reinstatement, as treasurer of AGI will enable him to promote the President’s “Golden Age of Business.”