The newly elected 3rd Vice Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akomea, has dismissed reports surrounding his absence during the official introduction of the party’s new national executives, attributing the situation to severe traffic gridlock.
Addressing delegates and party faithful following the NPP national delegates conference at the Kumasi Sports Stadium, Mr Akomea expressed gratitude to the over 6,000 delegates who gathered to deliberate on constitutional amendments and elect leaders to steer the party’s affairs for the next four years.
Speculation had mounted after Mr Akomea and National Youth Organiser Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B) were not present on stage when the newly elected officers were formally introduced to the gathering. Reports had suggested the pair were upset over a failed arrangement involving party figure Kojo Bamba.
Clarifying the event, Mr Akomea stated that he had left the stadium earlier in the evening and was caught in traffic while attempting to return to the venue.
“Yes, I was not present for the introductions. I had left the conference grounds around 11:30 pm. I got caught up in traffic on my way back to the stadium, and only reached the conference grounds a few minutes after the introductions had been done,” Mr Akomea said.
He further denied involvement in any last-minute negotiations or disputes regarding the vote tallies.
“I was not present during the vote counting and tabulation, and so could not have engaged myself in any ‘negotiation’ with Kojo Bamba or anybody else,” he added.
Mr Akomea offered his thanks to the thousands of delegates who endured the day-long conference, which stretched into the early hours of Sunday morning, for entrusting him with the position of 3rd Vice Chairman. He also extended congratulations to all candidates who stood in the elections.
“I thank very much the 6,000-plus NPP delegates who thronged the Kumasi stadium… for electing my humble self as their 3rd National Vice Chairman for the next four years,” he said. “I congratulate also all my colleagues, both winners and non-winners, who expressed the willingness to work for the party by offering themselves for these competitive elections.”
He concluded his statement with a call for unity as the party turns its focus toward internal consolidation and national governance.
Read below the full statement
I thank very much the 6000 plus NPP delegates who thronged the Kumasi stadium all day last Saturday till dawn on sunday to deliberate on the state of the party, decide on key constitutional amendments, and elect new national executives for the party.
I am also grateful to them for electing my humble self as their 3rd National Chairman for the next four years.
I have also heard some story that my good friend Nana Bee and my good self were not available to be introduced as newly elected executives because we were upset over some failed arrangement with Kojo Bamba.
Yes l was not present for the introductions. l had left the conference grounds around 11.30pm. I got caught up in traffic on my way back to the stadium, and only reached the conference grounds a few minutes after the introductions had been done.
So l was not present during the vote counting and tabulation, and so could not have engaged myself in any “negotiation” with Kojo Bamba or anybody else.
I congratulate also all my colleagues, both winners and non winners, who expressed the willingness to work for the party by offering themselves for these competitive elections.
God bless the Npp. God bless our efforts to work for our country
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
