NPP Clears Fati, Others

Hajia Fati Amadu
All five persons, including Hajia Fati Amadu, who were earlier disqualified from contesting for various national executive positions in the upcoming delegates’ conference of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), have been reinstated.

Hajia Fati Amadu (aka Aliga), Philomena Serwaa Akoto Sam, and Fred Amankwah Sarfo, have been cleared to contest for the Vice Chairmanship position of the party. Two others: Kamal-Deen Abdulai, who is vying for the Nassara Coordinator, as well as Charles Adu Gyamfi, for the position of Youth Organiser, have all been asked to pursue their ambitions.

A statement issued by the vetting committee yesterday said ‘The National Vetting Committee of the NPP, having heard the petitioners, who were disqualified, namely, Mr. Fred Amankwa-Sarfo, Hajia Fati Amadu, Mrs. Philomena Serwaa Akoto Sam, Alhaji Kamal-Deen Abdulai and Charles Adu-Gyamfi, has reviewed its earlier decision.’

‘Accordingly, the affected persons are hereby cleared to contest the National Elections scheduled to take place on 12 th April 2014,’ the statement added.

The decision was taken after the individuals had appealed against the vetting committee’s decision to disqualify them from contesting in the elections.

In the case of Mr. Paul Afoko, who is contesting for the Chairmanship position of the party, it stated, ‘The decision to suspend the balloting of all contestants for the position of National Chairman still stands, until investigations have been completed.’

Meanwhile, balloting for all other positions has been set for Monday, March 24, 2014, at 11:00 am at the NPP national headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra.

The five were disqualified for various reasons which were not made public by the C K Tedam-led Vetting Committee that screened them last week.

They were, however, given an opportunity to appeal against the decision for reconsideration.

By the close of day Monday, February 17, 2014—which was the closing date for the submission of appeals—party sources said all the five persons had submitted their petitions, stating various reasons for which they should be allowed to be in the various races.

Hajia Fati’s campaign slogan, ‘Akpeteshie ny3 advert’ (literally meaning the locally brewed Akpeteshie gin does not need an advert to market it), has now become a catch-phrase at the party headquarters.

 By Charles Takyi-Boadu