Fiifi Kwetey accuses NPP of double standards over NDC communicator’s controversial comment against Akufo-Addo

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fiifi Kwetey, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of double standards in its reaction to controversial comments by Deputy Communications Director Julius Kwame Anthony against former President Nana Akufo-Addo.

Mr Kwetey said Julius was referring to previous statements allegedly made by journalist Kwesi Pratt Jnr. and security analyst Professor Kwesi Aning regarding Akufo-Addo’s alleged marijuana use.

Speaking on Accra-based Metro TV, he questioned why the NPP had not demanded a retraction of the alleged statements since they were reportedly made in 2010.

“The truth be told, what Julius actually said was to refer to what Kwasi Pratt and Kwesi Aning, those two very credible people, had said about Nana Akufo-Addo being an abuser of marijuana.

“From 2010, when this report came out, has Nana Akufo-Addo or anybody asked Kwesi Pratt or Kwesi Aning to retract it? If truly that was said by them, none.

“If you leave that unretracted, it simply means that it goes with that saying, so to speak,” he said.

Mr Kwetey further questioned what he described as the NPP’s inconsistent approach to statements made about its political opponents and former leaders.

“Ask our friends in the NPP, how is it that they are able to constantly refer to other people, same winking? A quote, winking regarding me and other people in the NDC, that they quote copiously every day.

“But when the same winking is quoted regarding their former leader, suddenly all hell must break loose. So what kind of double standard is that?” he questioned.

He argued that the party could not consistently rely on the same statements when they concerned its opponents but demand a retraction when they were directed at its former leader.

“In one breath, you are quoting the same winking when it refers to your opponent, gladly pontificating about it. Then, when it comes to you, suddenly you go into a forceful outrage, getting angry and asking for a retraction.

“If the same winking is wrong regarding your opponent, then stop quoting it,” Mr Kwetey said.