Former Deputy Minister of Information, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has expressed shock over what he described as the ‘dirty tricks unit’ within Bawumia’s campaign team in the leadup to the November 4 election to elect a flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
According to him, some weeks ago, he commended the NPP for conducting “relatively clean”, campaigns. He revealed that from the look of things, it proffered to be “at least one of the cleanest that they have held”.
Nonetheless, Mr Ofosu stated that on hindsight, he spoke too early because in the last month, there has been a massive deterioration where some of the things that have been uttered have been less than pleasant.
Citing the case of Frederick Opare-Ansah, a member of Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign team, he expressed disappointment in his conduct during the campaign season of the Vice President.
“If you are involved in this political enterprise, you’ll know that that in itself is not a worry, it is also not too surprising because the political banter gets heated especially as the contest draws closer… My only surprise is the personnel that the Bawumia camp chose to engage in – Opare Ansah, he’s also one of the people I respect the most.
“I was deeply shocked when he became the face of the dirty tricks unit of the Bawumia campaign… He has become the dirty tricks unit of the Bawumia campaign, except that I’m surprised he allowed himself to be [used]. What it does is to detract from the level of respect that people have for you and all that. So, people should learn to stay true to their character…”
Felix Kwakye Ofosu
NPP top brass support Bawumia in flagbearership bid
Highlighting his concerns regarding the campaigns by the various aspirants and other matters within the NPP, Mr Ofosu lamented that the way the “entire government machinery has been whipped in line” to support Bawumia is not the best.
He indicated that governmental CEOs, ministers and appointees are at the forefront of the campaign for Bawumia which creates a level of unfairness for other aspirants.
“… What then happens is that the resources and weight of the state is what will bear on the campaign and how it swings. You cannot be surprised that Kennedy Agyapong, and until recently, Alan Kyerematen have voiced concerns about this. It is most unfair, and they have to correct that. Perhaps, the rules have to be reengineered to reflect this sort of behavior.
“If you’re so convinced that somebody’s presidential ambitions are so important as to elicit your support and active participation, then he should be willing to leave the work you’re doing in government and join that campaign full-time so that an unfair, lop-sided field is not created to the disadvantage of other aspirants. “
Felix Kwakye Ofosu
Furthermore, Mr Ofosu contended that in terms of the organization of campaigns, it has been a “logistical nightmare” for the NPP to coordinate elections in all constituencies at the same time.
Moreover, the former deputy minister of information expressed his reservation about some comments made against the Second Lady, Samira Bawumia by a member of the Kennedy Agyapong campaign team.
He revealed that although the person in question made some unprintable comments about Mrs Bawumia, she should also learn that “politics is not a picnic in the park”, as such, when she goes hurling pebbles at people, she should expect that rocks will be hurled at her.
“I was shocked yesterday when I saw a video clip in which a member of the Kenndey Agyapong campaign said some pretty horrible things about Samira Bawumia… You know, one of the things that has come to define Ghanaian campaigns is that there’s a certain hesitation to say things about women particularly… If you are a woman and you decide to step in a political arena, and you think it’s appropriate to take on men and say things about them, and things are said about you, you cannot hide behind gender.”
Felix Kwakye Ofosu
Meanwhile, Mr Ofosu urged the NPP party members to conduct decent campaigns. He emphasized that there should be no special protection based on “gender in politics”.
Nonetheless, he argued that his statement doesn’t equally justify the unsavory things that are said as desirable.
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