This latest development is a sequel to last Sunday’s President John Agyekum Kufuor-brokered meeting and dinner with the trio of Mr. Kyerematen; Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP presidential candidate; and Peter Mac Manu, party National Chairman; over the sore subject.
The Sunday meeting was a follow-up to a similar one on Friday between the President, Alan and Nana Addo at the Castle, where the setting up of the committee was agreed in principle.
The meetings, the first intervention by the President in the subject which has topped the local political chart for close to two weeks now, appear to have broken the jinx which featured in the internal NPP feud.
Shrouded in confidentiality, the names of the 5-member committee is under wraps, as curious media personnel scout abortively for details about it.
The committee whose terms of reference is to receive in writing the concerns of the aggrieved Mr. Kyerematen and make appropriate recommendations on same, was inaugurated at an undisclosed location yesterday, an indication that proceedings from the engagement would as much as possible be kept away from the prying eyes of the media.
Alan, whose body language spoke volumes about his willingness to rescind his decision and return to the fold of the NPP during Sunday’s engagement with top party leaders at the President’s Airport West residence, was tasked to submit his concerns in writing, which until now, have remained verbal and seemingly uncoordinated.
He was asked to give specific instances where his supporters were subjected to intimidation and alienation instead of general comments.
In order for the committee to discharge its terms of reference adequately by dealing with the man at the centre of the row as a member of the NPP, Mr. Kyerematen was asked to withdraw his correspondence of resignation forthwith to pave way for fruitful dialogue.
The explanation for this was that his concerns cannot be legally considered when in reality he has opted out of its fold with his resignation which took immediate effect from the day the letter was submitted to party chairman Mac Manu.
In the absence of this, he would have had to re-apply for membership so his worries can be studied as a man belonging to the fold of the NPP, a procedure that would take more time to comply.
Yesterday’s developments differed from previous botched attempts at getting Alan to rescind his decision when he for instance promised to cooperate with the committee and to tackle the tasks bestowed on him to facilitate the work of the probe.
Pundits have predicted that Alan, former Trade and Industry Minister, from the seeming positive signs on the ground, will in the next few days re-join the Nana Akufo-Addo campaign in the scheduled Volta and Western Region tours, especially since he did not object to any of the tasks bestowed on him by the top party persons who engaged him for the marathon dialogue.
Mr. Kyerematen, fondly called Alan Cash evoked mixed reactions when he announced his resignation from the NPP two weeks ago citing harassment of his supporters in the party.
The man who came second in the race to lead the NPP in the forthcoming presidential poll was persuaded to return to the party to no avail, as he said there was no going back on his decision.
The founding chairman of the NPP, B.J. da Rocha, who was tasked with mediating in the impasse, frustrated and embittered by Alan’s media announcement that there was no going back when according to him both of them were still engaged in negotiations and had agreed not to make any public announcement on the issue, described the former Trade Minister’s action as a bluff.
Alan, he said in a statement last Friday, should be allowed to go and return no more, because according to him, he is a loose cannon whose activities could be inimical to the interests of the NPP.
According to Mr. da Rocha the concerns of Alan when juxtaposed against those of others within the party who too have grievances but have not taken the exit route, is infinitesimal.
Questioning the loyalty of Alan to the party, he stated that the NPP should not concentrate on the concerns of one man when the task of winning an election is staring the political grouping in the face.
Mr. da Rocha’s robust statement coincided with another from the Presidency, signed by Ambassador D.K. Osei last Friday.
The correspondence from the Presidency asked all stakeholders and party supporters to remain calm as a way out was being sought to the concerns of Mr. Alan Kyerematen.
The Presidency also asked that nothing should be done to inflame passions as regards the Alan issue.
| Source: Daily Guide |
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