The Lens Must Retract Its Publication About Npp Uk Or Face Its Wrath – NPP UK and Ireland

... “The publication is distasteful and tacky”

Our attention has been drawn to a publication by the Ghanaian Lens newspaper edited by Kobby Fiagbe. This paper is claiming on authority that NPP UK and Ireland has called for Mr Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie also known as Sir John to be removed as General Secretary of our party the NPP. We need to state categorically that statement is not only mischievous but it is an outright lie, a pure fabrication and totally unfounded. It is my understanding that the Editor alleges that he has evidence; I am by his publication challenging the Editor to provide evidence to back his claim within the next 48 hours or retract it completely.

The fabrication is aimed at reducing the image of both our hardworking Secretary-General and the NPP UK and Ireland branch and put the entire branch into disrepute. The language attributed to NPP UK and Ireland is of such bad taste and not the sort of language associated with NPP UK and Ireland which is held in high esteem by all persons and organisations that deal with it. Our correspondence is always guided by decorum in our choice of words. We want it to be on record that the language attributed to NPP UK and Ireland in the publication cannot be the type of language that we will use when writing to our most Honourable National Chairman Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey about our most esteem General Secretary, Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie AKA Sir John

Furthermore, we wish to state that we are aware that detractors of the NPP are wary of the formidable combination of our Secretary-General, Sir John and the leadership and general membership of NPP UK and Ireland branch. We can understand how the Ghanaian Lens can be petrified by the political maturity and depth of knowledge and analysis demonstrated time and again by the UK and Ireland branch of the NPP in our national discourse over the years of which we are very proud to say has Sir John as one its founding fathers. That combination with the fortitude and commitment of Sir John must be giving some nightmares driving them into making all kinds of fabrications.

We have seen through the evil machinations of the Lens which by their publication about us clearly seeks to destroy the cordial relation existing between Sir John and the NPP UK and Ireland branch. We have seen through their intentions and want to assure our Chairman Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey, the public and our supporters that we will not be driven or be deterred in our efforts to work shoulder to shoulder with our indefatigable and assiduous Secretary-General in our nation-building effort. Building our beloved country Ghana will remain our driving spirit and it is what motivates us to play a continuous part of our nation-building effort even from outside Ghana.

Again, we are not lost to the purpose of the fabrication which is intended to break our resolve, creates suspicion and schism within the NPP which is enjoying much tranquillity and demonstrating how political parties operate to the discomfort of some who appear to only enjoy politics of vilification, insult and abuse.

We will have left this matter without giving it an undeserved second thought. However, we are also acutely aware that it is the inaction of people that allows mediocrity and evil to triumph.

Therefore, after my preliminary consultation with members of my Executive and the branch, we have decided to contribute to maintain standards of ethical journalism by ensuring that the Ghanaian Lens does not get away with this outrageous publication. Again, we cannot allow falsehood to gain currency through our inaction.

We of the NPP UK and Ireland are therefore calling on the Lens to retract the said publication and give it the same publicity given to its earlier publication in the next 48 hours.

We also wish to state that we are in consultation with our lawyers for advice on legal action against the Lens Newspaper and all its agents, including Kobby Fiagbe.

We would like to reiterate that Mr Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie aka Sir John is a founding member of NPP UK and Ireland, a loyal servant of the party and elected by democratic ballot and the NPP UK and Ireland branch recognises that.

We would, in this publication, like to rather pass a vote of high confidence in our General Secretary and salute him for his unquenchable desire to ensure that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP is returned to government in December 2012.

Sir John, we in NPP UK and Ireland stand by you and you are well appreciated by Ghanaians at home and abroad. We urge you to continue to constructively criticize the government and building the structures of the NPP to put in an unassailable position such that the NPP wins the December 2012 election. This is our destiny in our quest to rebuild Ghana and leave a lasting legacy for our children and future generations.

Hayford Atta-Krufi
Chairman
On behalf of
NPP UK and Ireland

cc.Nana Yaw Sarpong-Branch Communications Officer