NDC Ignores NPP Confab Over Amissah-Arthur

THE NATIONAL Democratic Congress (NDC) failed to show up at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 26^th National Delegates Conference in Koforidua on Saturday.

Checks indicate that the NPP officially invited all recognized political parties in the country for the historic function, including the NDC, but the largest opposition party in the country ignored the hand of friendship, citing the recent death of former president, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur.

The programme, which was held at the Koforidua Technical University campus, received solidarity messages from the People’s National Convention (PNC), United People’s Party (UPP), Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), National Democratic Party (NDP), Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Convention People’s Party (CPP) and the Conservative Party of UK; and was attended by top dignitaries including President Akufo-Addo.

Many NPP gurus at the event expressed dismay at the NDC decision to stay away from the programme, arguing that the passing of the former vice president was a national blow that needed not to have been narrowly politicized.

They said if the NPP was patriotic enough to have observed a one-minute silence at the Koforidua conference over the national loss, then the NDC had no point in trying to singularly claim the loss.

The NPP chiefs, who demanded anonymity, said at least the NDC should have shown courtesy by sending a solidarity message in writing to the NPP so it could be received and kept for future reference.

It would be noted that, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in a speech at the conference, eulogized the late Veep, and noted how his passing had touched the soul of the nation.

“Last week, on 29th June, 2018, our nation suffered an unexpected, grievous loss – the sudden departure of the immediate past Vice President of the Republic, His Excellency Kwesi Bekoe Amissah Arthur, Vice President for four and a half years, under His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama.

“Our nation has been observing five days of national mourning. Official books of condolence have been opened at the Accra International Conference Centre and in our Missions across the world, and flags have been flying at half-mast. He will, on 27th July, receive a full State Burial and Funeral, as befits a former Vice President, especially one who has served his nation with dignity and integrity.

“I have already extended, on your behalf and my own, our sincere condolences to his widow, his children, his family, the National Democratic Congress, and President Mahama. We have earlier had a minute’s silence in his memory. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest and abide in the bosom of the Lord until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again”, he said.

By: Yaw Asamoah