Former Municipal Chief Executive for Ledzokuku and staunch New Patriotic Party (NPP) member, Mordecai Abusuayedom Quarshie, has intensified his call for accountability from former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, warning that the party’s credibility is increasingly at risk if decisive action is not taken.
Speaking to Adom News, Mr. Quarshie revealed that nearly a month after submitting a petition to the NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, he is yet to receive any formal response from the party’s national leadership.
The petition, which accuses Mr. Ofori-Atta of conduct that has brought the party into public disrepute through his continued failure to avail himself for accountability processes, was intended to prompt the party to address what Mr. Quarshie describes as a growing threat to the NPP’s reputation.
According to him, the silence from the party leadership is disappointing and raises concerns about the seriousness with which the current leadership is treating matters of accountability.
“I submitted the petition because I believe the party must stand for its principles at all times,” Mr. Quarshie told Adom News. “Almost a month later, there has been no response. That is worrying because accountability has always been one of the core values of the NPP.”
Mr. Quarshie stressed that his concerns are not about declaring Mr. Ofori-Atta guilty of any wrongdoing but rather about the obligation of former public officials to cooperate with accountability processes.
“The issue is not about guilt or innocence. It is about accountability. Every public officer must be prepared to answer questions about their stewardship when called upon to do so,” he stated.
In his petition, Mr. Quarshie cites Article 4(7)(g) of the NPP Constitution, which defines misconduct as conduct that brings the party’s name into disrepute, public ridicule, contempt, or disrespect.
He argues that Mr. Ofori-Atta’s prolonged absence has created a public perception that he is unwilling to face scrutiny, thereby exposing the NPP to criticism and damaging the party’s image.
“The longer this situation persists, the more people begin to question what is happening. Whether those perceptions are fair or not, the party is suffering reputational damage,” he said.
Mr. Quarshie also expressed concern about what he describes as a lack of urgency on the part of the party’s current national leadership. In his view, the leadership has so far failed to rise to the occasion and demonstrate the commitment required to protect the party’s values and public standing.
“I believe the current national leadership has not lived up to the task in dealing with this matter. The NPP has always projected itself as a party that believes in accountability and the rule of law. Leadership must be prepared to defend those principles, even when it is uncomfortable,” he argued.
The former MCE maintained that accountability has been a defining characteristic of the NPP under previous administrations. He referenced former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s warnings against a culture of impunity and former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s call on former appointees to make themselves available for any accountability processes after leaving office.
For Mr. Quarshie, the issue goes beyond Ken Ofori-Atta. He believes the party is being tested on whether it will uphold its own standards or allow a precedent to develop that could undermine public confidence in the future.
“If we ignore this today, we risk creating a dangerous precedent where public officials believe they can avoid accountability without consequences. That is not the tradition of the NPP, and it is not the message we should send to Ghanaians,” he said.
He is therefore urging the party leadership to respond to the petition and take the necessary steps to reaffirm the NPP’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible leadership.
As the petition remains unanswered, the debate over accountability and party discipline continues to generate discussion among party members and political observers, with many watching to see how the NPP leadership will respond to one of its own members’ call for action.
Source: Kodwo Mensah Aboroampa
