Serious concerns are emerging within the New Patriotic Party in the Western Region following the disqualification of Hon. Kwasi Bonzoh from contesting for the position of Regional Secretary.
Some party members allege that an individual closely associated with the re-election campaign of the General Secretary, Mr. Justin Kodua Frimpong, was placed in a leading position in the vetting of regional aspirants. They believe that this influential role may have been used to carry out a plan aimed at removing Hon. Bonzoh from the contest.
The growing suspicion is that Hon. Bonzoh’s disqualification was not merely about his academic qualifications. Many party members believe it was politically motivated because he had emerged as a strong candidate with a realistic chance of defeating the incumbent Regional Secretary, who is widely perceived as the preferred candidate of Justin Kodua and his supporters.
This raises a legitimate question: was the vetting process used to protect political interests rather than to uphold fairness and the rules of the party?
For more than twenty years, Hon. Kwasi Bonzoh has served the New Patriotic Party with loyalty, dedication and sacrifice. He represented the party as its parliamentary candidate for Ellembelle on several occasions and served for eight years as District Chief Executive under the Akufo-Addo administration. His commitment and contribution to the party cannot be questioned.
Despite presenting his academic credentials and supporting documents during the appeals process, the decision to disqualify him was upheld. This has deepened the concerns of party members who expected the appeals process to provide him with a fair and impartial hearing.
The situation becomes even more troubling when a person associated with the campaign of a national officer is allowed to play an influential role in determining which regional aspirants can contest. Even without proof of direct interference, such an arrangement creates a clear perception of conflict of interest and undermines confidence in the integrity of the process.
Hon. Bonzoh has therefore taken his case to the National Steering Committee, trusting that the national leadership will examine the matter independently and correct any injustice that may have occurred.
His appeal has been brought to the attention of:
Mr. Smith Danquah, Acting National Chairman
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Presidential Candidate
Alexander Kwamina Afenyo-Markin, Majority Leader
Mr. Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary
The leadership of the party must now demonstrate that no individual, campaign team or preferred candidate is more important than the principles of fairness, justice and internal democracy.
Hon. Kwasi Bonzoh is not asking for special treatment. He is asking for the opportunity to present himself to the delegates and allow them to decide.
The NPP must not permit the vetting process to become a weapon for eliminating strong candidates and protecting political favourites.
Let Bonzoh contest. Let the delegates decide.
**Justice. Fairness. Service.**
