A group calling itself ‘Concerned Youth for Change’ has petitioned the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) national leadership about the purported conduct of a leading member in the Pru East Constituency in the Brong Ahafo Region.
They claimed Joshua Abonkra’s attitude is dividing the rank and file of the party and could cost the NPP victory in the area if not checked.
The petition was signed by Joseph Ackah, Asheifa Karmal, Mohammed Issah, Gyarcham Dickson, Nurudeen Mohammed, Kofi Krah, Nicholas Bentum and Philip Kofi Badu.
They claimed the recent compilation of the polling station album and the alleged fraudulent acts associated with it was spearheaded and done by Mr. Abonkra and as a result of the frustration, three of the party’s members in the constituency had filed a suit at the Sunyani High Court against the party.
According to the petitioners, Mr. Abonkra is working in cahoots with three other members namely Amos Akoneke (Electoral/Research Officer), Alhassan Ibrahim Bliver (1st vice chairman) and Gyimah K. Yeboah (Chairman) to disenfranchise some members in the constituency.
They indicated that they suspect the act was perpetuated by Mr. Abonkra and his group in order “to give his favourites undue advantage to win the constituency elections so that they can endorse him for the position of DCE of Pru East District.”
“It has become apparently obvious that Pru District would be divided into Pru East District and Pru West District hence the manipulations,” they alleged.
They insisted that “the actions of Joshua Abonkra have made the party unattractive in Pru East,” adding “the results of the constituency election and the polling station album are being contested in the Sunyani High Court.”
According to the agitated group, they are invoking Article 4 clause 7(a)(ii) which deals with falsification of reports, accounts, expense claims or other fraudulent conduct against Mr. Abonkra and his group.
They said there are publications in the media that go to show that Mr. Abonkra should not be allowed to be DCE; alleging that he had even connived with then ruling NDC to shortchange the NPP in the run up to the 2012 general election.
Mr. Abonkra is yet to respond to the group’s allegations.
By William Yaw Owusu