Last Thursday, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) cracked the whip on one of its own, Kofi Adams, and suspended him for an offence many consider as treachery against the party.

Kofi Adams who also doubles as Spokesperson of the former President Rawlings is alleged to have schemed in a treacherous conspiracy with the Executive Director of the Danquah Institute, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a dye-in-the-wool NPP activist, to scuttle the second term bid of NDC flagbearer President John Evans Atta Mills.

This follows the recording of a private conversation he is alleged to have had with Gabby, the contents of which have since been made public.

A leaked audiotape with a voice purported to be that of Mr Adams speaking to Gabby Asare Othcere Darko was the basis for the suspension.

According to the party’s General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the suspension of Kofi Adams doesn’t end there, but his status as a card-bearing member of the NDC has also been revoked.

He has subsequently been referred to the Disciplinary Committee (DC) of the party for further action while he serves a three-month suspension.

The General Secretary explained that the Disciplinary Committee had been mandated to give a fair hearing to Mr Adams, establish the veracity or otherwise of the recording and advise the NEC appropriately, or make appropriate recommendations.

The withdrawal of Mr Adams’ membership is to afford the DC the opportunity to thoroughly authenticate the recording by getting to the bottom of the matter without any interference whatsoever, Mr Nketiah said.

He was emphatic that until the disciplinary committee submits its report on the case, Kofi Adams is “a free agent” and not a member of the NDC, adding that he (Kofi Adams) can no longer exercise any rights as an NDC member until the committee comes out with its report.

Kofi Adams himself has described his suspension as petty. And that should tell you that he is not prepared to submit himself to any investigations.

Indeed, what has happened is a worrying episode and the party must act to get rid of all bad nuts within, in order to forge ahead for victory in the 2012 general elections.

Every party needs its numbers, no matter how big or small. Therefore, it is very important that even before the 2012 campaign heats up, the NDC does all it can to unite the party. The party should not become swollen-headed. It needs everybody on board.

That notwithstanding, Kofi Adams’ suspension must not end there. The party should hire a voice authentication company to review the voices on the tape, and if it is established that any one on it is that of Kofi Adams’, then he should be shown the exit.

Kofi Adams should know that his posture and public commentary on the issue in the next few days will settle it all even before the 90-day suspension will be over. He must tread cautiously because the NDC is bigger than any individual.

We at the _True Statesman_ would advise all party faithful to remain calm as steps are taken to address the issue.

The party is only a few months away from the 2012 elections, and all tendencies that undermine its cohesion should be avoided by supporters, especially core members.

This is the only way we can guarantee that the party is closely knitted and put on the path of resounding victory come December 2012.

THE TRUE STATESMAN

INFO@THETRUESTATESMAN.ORG