The Leadership of the Opposition New Patriotic Party has condemned the endorsement of Nana Akufo-Addo by the entire executives of the Greater Accra Regional branch of the party led by its Chairman, Ishmael Ashittey.

This was contained in a statement signed by Party Chairman Jake Obetsebi Lamptey.

‘‘On behalf of Party leadership I condemn the statements by the Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Mr. Ishmael Ashittey in Tema East Constituency, that constituency chairmen in the Greater Accra Region have declared for a particular candidate in the upcoming congress of the Party. I also condemn the public remarks he made urging delegates to vote in a particular way’’ the statement said.   

The statement further cautioned party executive officers that their open declaration of support for a particular candidate is completely unacceptable’’.

‘‘Party officers may have their preferences but they have a responsibility to present an unbiased attitude to all candidates in the contest.  Such an unbiased posture will make it easier for party leadership to harness the support and energies of all party members behind the wining candidates after the congress’’.   
 
The statement further noted that the foremost concern of all party executive officers, and every party member should be victory for the NPP in the 2012 general elections.

Communications Director of the NPP Kwaku Kwarteng told Citi News the statement was to remind those in leadership of their duty to unite their constituents before and after the election.

‘‘Broadly, party leadership is conducting this election and of course it is being overseen by the Electoral Commission, but the party leadership has a responsibility to signal to the public and to the candidates that the ground is even, and that the party is willing to go behind any candidate that wins the elections. I think it is improper for people who are in leadership positions in the party to be seen as supporting some particular candidate and declaring it openly, so that in the event those candidates don’t win, it becomes so difficult for those leaders to rally support for the candidate they campaigned against. That is the wisdom of the rule that party leaders should try as much a possible not to openly declare support for particular candidates.

He says the party will use all internal procedures available to address Mr. Ashittey’s conduct.

Meanwhile Mr. Ishmael Ashittey has told Citi News he did no wrong in declaring support for Nana Addo and urging his officers to do same.

‘‘I don’t think what I did was wrong. I am the Regional Chairman and I have no role whatsoever in selecting a candidate to be the flagbearer. That is done by the national office. It is their responsibility so they can decide to keep quiet on whatever they think of the party. But I have been elected by a group of people to lead them so that we take political power in 2012, so I think I have a responsibility to guide and direct my members to achieve that feat. I am not saying particularly that they should reject other candidates but I am looking at all the candidates and as a delegate I am urging them to vote Akufo-Addo because he is the right person for now.

The Camp of Mr. Alan Kyerematen, a strong contender for the flagbearership slot has also condemned the action of Mr. Ashittey and his entire executives.

 A Member of the Campaign Team Mr. Maxwell Kofi Jumah told Citi News the action is a breach of the party’s constitution. He however said Mr. Kyerematen’s camp is unperturbed by such endorsements.