Otabil, Martey, Palmer-Buckle attend NPP 'crisis' meeting

The office of former President John Kufuor has confirmed reports of a high powered meeting between the former President and some highly placed religious leaders in the country in an attempt to resolve the confusion within the opposition New Patriotic Party.

According to a report by the Daily Guide, the Founder of the International Central Gospel Church, Pastor Mensah Otabil, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev Prof Emmanuel Martey, and the Metropolitan Arch­bishop of Accra, Bishop Charles Palmer Buckle also attended the meeting at the Airport West resident of the former President in Accra.

The meeting, the report said, “follows months of acrimonious and rancorous relation among the leadership of the party, which has led to suspicion and mistrust among the rank and file of the NPP, especially the aftermath of the death of Adams Mahama, Upper East Regional chairman of the party, through acid attack”.

“The party is virtually split into two factions— those who support the duo of Paul Afoko, national chairman whose brother has been linked with the murder of Adams Mahama and Kwabena Agyepong, General Secretary, and those who do not. The two are said to be working against the chances of the flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in the 2016 elections,” the report added.

In a statement confirming the meeting, Mr Kufuor’s special aide and spokesperson, Frank Agyekum, said the heads of the religious denominations, as well as some other prominent citizens in the country were invited by the former President to help broker peace and brotherliness among the top hierarchy of the party.

The spokesperson said, "the choice of these heads of the Christian denominations was based on the fact that most of the members of the party hierarchy involved in these 'peace moves' belong to the churches headed by them."

Mr Agyekum denied reports in a section of the media that the meeting was held secretly.

Meanwhile, speaking to Accra-based Adom FM on controversy surrounding the meeting, Frank Agyekum denied claims that the selection of the clergymen was based on their affiliation with the NPP.

“ Even though these pastors attended the meeting, it was not because of their political affiliation. They were chosen because the issues we were trying to resolve involved some of their members. These are men of God who are highly respected in society so we believe their inputs are important in such matters,” he stated.