A former Second Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammy Crabbe, has said that former National Chairman, Paul Afoko, was not treated fairly and is still hurt by the events that led to his suspension.
According to Mr. Crabbe, although Mr. Afoko still thinks about the party and naturally has a concern for its welfare, his experience has left him feeling alienated and disrespected.
“He still thinks about the party, but the way he was treated makes it very difficult for him to return,” Mr. Crabbe said.
He pointed to a court ruling which indicated that Mr. Afoko, as it stands, is no longer recognized as a member of the NPP.
“As far as the judgment is concerned, Paul Afoko is not a member of the party. The court didn’t ask the party to remove him—this is something the party initiated and sustained,” he explained in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show.
Mr. Crabbe lamented that although the court processes and time passed, the NPP has made no attempt to reconcile with Mr. Afoko.
“The party has not even called him back or tried to reach out. These are some of the things that push people away,” he said.
He added that this kind of treatment affects not only individuals but also the overall image and inclusiveness of the party.
“All these things make it difficult for people to feel represented. It’s a matter of internal management, and it’s something the NPP must seriously look at,” he stressed.
In 2015, the NPP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) upheld the Disciplinary Committee’s decision to indefinitely suspend Paul Afoko, then National Chairman; Sammy Crabbe, then Second Vice Chairman; and Kwabena Agyepong, then General Secretary, for allegedly working against the party’s interest ahead of the 2016 elections.
While Mr. Agyepong’s suspension has since been lifted, Paul Afoko remain sidelined.
Reflecting on his own suspension, Mr. Crabbe noted, “It was a planned removal. Some people just didn’t like the way we were running things, and instead of dealing with it properly, they forced us out.”
He concluded by warning that such internal divisions and lack of proper conflict resolution could hurt the party’s long-term prospects.
ALSO READ: