Don’t be disillusioned by chorus of doom from people who benefited from NPP – Gabby urges party members

A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has urged members and sympathizers of the party, not to be disillusioned by the unfettered expressions of harsh views from persons who have benefited from the party.

He said however critical, jaundiced or ungrateful those people may sound, the party’s acclaimed tolerance of dissenting views must hold sway.

In a statement he shared on his social media handles on Thursday, October 26, 2023, the private legal practitioner said people who until recently were major beneficiaries of the Akufo-Addo Presidency are now the ones singing doom songs for his party and government.

“The NPP tolerates and even encourages dissent, including ones most caustic and undeserving. Some of those who were only yesterday, major beneficiaries of the party’s electoral fortunes and were tasked with the leadership responsibilities of helping the President deliver on his mandate, can be heard today leading to a crescendo what sounds like a chorus of doom,” he stated.

What NPP represents
Starting his post with a quote from Varun Singhal, “An environment that is not safe to disagree in is not an environment focused on growth – it’s an environment focused on control,” the private legal practitioner explained that the quote represents the NPP.

He said in spite of all the challenges it is facing, the NPP must stay true to its motto, Development in Freedom.

No disunity
Mr Otchere-Darko who is co-founder and Managing Partner, Africa Legal Associates, said the harsh criticisms may give the impression of disunity in the party. “But, no. It is what it is. It is what the NPP has always been, especially in periods of transition. Today, it is heightened and amplified by the speed and distance at which sensational news flies. Free expression is, indeed, the blood that flows through the veins of the Elephant.”

He added: “In fact, when the party was being formed over three decades ago, the other symbol or motto they considered at the time and nearly settled on was “Ti Koro Nko Agyina”, meaning a constructive meeting of minds calls for heads of varying perspectives. It is who we are. The NPP is a party of activists and not spectators. It is a family of active and not passive voices.”

Challenging times
Mr Otchere-Darko delved into the NPP, having persevered to develop the nation even under the most challenging of economic situations of recent years. “With the harsh cost of living crisis, the anger and resentment of the people are understandable. But, the efforts being made to keep public services going and funding development projects should also not be lost on us,” he stated.

Transition
He said as some of the party’s members fade naturally off the scene in an exciting transition and a new set takes over, “we know for sure that this new crop of leadership will not only continue with the tradition and its principles, but will, even more importantly, take positive, instructive lessons from the negative experiences of recent years, the commissions, as well as, the omissions, and use all that to make the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition even stronger and better in fulfilling the party’s core mandate, which is to lead and serve responsibly in developing Ghana with enterprise and in freedom, with compassion and an even greater sense of urgency.”
“Ours is to be the lead enablers in the national mission of establishing a prosperous society of opportunities and dignity for every child born of this land, regardless of his or her background. Let us never forget that.”

Flag bearer election
Touching on the flag bearer elections, he stated, “Finally, November 4 is just around the corner. The NPP that we know, once the party speaks and a new leader, with his new direction, is chosen, the party will rally around him and support him and the cause of the collective. To this and all, we continue to pray.”