-Afoko, Buckman Slams ‘Fake Reconciliation.
-Brand the Party as a ‘Use and Dump Machine’.
The recent directive by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding a general amnesty has sparked controversy and criticism from various quarters.
The decision, aimed at restoring unity by reconciling with suspended or estranged members, is now being denounced as biased, handpicked, and lacking sincerity.
The NPP, under the leadership of Acting National Chairman Danquah Smith Buttey, announced the general amnesty to welcome back members currently suspended or undergoing disciplinary actions.
The announcement came after an Emergency National Council meeting held on Friday, July 25, 2025, with the party leadership positioning it as a step to fortify internal bonds ahead of the 2028 national elections.
As per the directive, members seeking reinstatement must formally apply to the party’s national secretariat. Moreover, even upon rejoining, they are barred from contesting in any internal party election for a mandatory two-year period.
This condition-heavy amnesty has stirred debates within political circles. While some view the initiative positively, others argue that the restrictions undermine the essence of true reconciliation.
NPP’s Deputy National Communications Director, Asiedu Kokuro, clarified that certain notable figures who departed from the party are not included in the amnesty.
Individuals like Alan Kyerematen, Buabeng Asamoah, Nana Ohene Ntow, Solomon Owusu, and others are required to reapply formally if they intend to rejoin the NPP ranks.
This exclusion has deepened skepticism regarding the true intentions behind the amnesty. A strong response came from Ebo Buckman, Deputy Director of Communications for the Movement for Change, who accused the NPP of using individuals for political gains and later abandoning them.
“They use you when convenient and discard you afterward,” Buckman criticized. “The treatment of Mr. Alan Kyerematen and Kwabena Adjei Agyapong is a clear example of this exploitative cycle.”
Buckman dismissed the reconciliation narrative of the NPP, asserting that it aims not for genuine forgiveness or unity but merely to swell numbers in preparation for upcoming elections.
He likened the NPP’s amnesty move to borrowing a walking stick for a journey, only to discard it upon reaching the destination.
Joining the chorus of dissent, Former National Chairman of the NPP, Paul Afoko, also weighed in on the amnesty debate during an interview on Okay FM with host Kwame Nkrumah Tikese.
Afoko viewed the amnesty as a positive step but criticized the attached conditions, emphasizing that reconciliation should be unconditional and all-encompassing.
According to Afoko, imposing rules on returning members could deepen existing divides, urging the NPP leadership to rethink the directive and cultivate a more genuinely inclusive approach to foster trust and unity within the party.
With voices like Afoko and Buckman questioning the authenticity of the initiative, the NPP’s reconciliation efforts face scrutiny, raising doubts on whether the amnesty signifies genuine unity or is merely a survival tactic.
By Prince Ahenkorah