NPP considering Yaw Buabeng Asamoah as new Communications Director

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is considering appointing Mr Yaw Buabeng Asamoah as its substantive Communications Director.

This follows numerous concerns that the acting Director of Communications, Mr Yaw Adomako Baafi lacks the leadership qualities and acumen to lead the ruling party's communication machinery. 

The NPP is yet to announce the new development but in a Facebook post Wednesday morning, Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko hinted that Mr Yaw Buabeng Asamoah is the new Director of Communications. 

"Congrats to Yaw Buabeng Asamoah for your appointment as the new Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party. Clearly, there was a huge leadership vacuum in the ruling party’s communication machinery and we are all happy to hear that Chairman Blay, General John Boadu and the team have acted accordingly," Mr Asare Otchere Darko wrote.

Mr Yaw Buabeng Asamoah is currently the Member of Parliament for Adenta in Greater Accra. He was the spokesperson for the late Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama during President John Kufuor's era.

As a lawyer, governance specialist with work history spanning the private sector, civil society and public sector, he has also previously served as Deputy Communications Director for the NPP.

He contested the general secretary position of the NPP in 2010 and 2014 and lost. He focused on the Adenta constituency thereafter and won the Parliamentary seat for the NPP in 2016. 

Mr Adomako Baafi, popularly referred to as "Footsoldiers President" was made to act as the Communications Director after Nana Akomea relinquished the position in 2017 to take a new appointment as the Managing Director of the state transport company, Intercity STC. 

In a radio interview on Accra based Okay FM Wednesday morning, the General Secretary of the NPP, Mr John Boadu confirmed "there were a lot of discussions" ongoing in relation to the appointment of directors in the party but denied a that firm decision has been taken as of now.

He said whatever somebody [Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko] has put out there is not coming from the party and that the NPP will issue a statement when the discussions are complete and a decision has been taken.

However, he said he cannot deny that there are no discussions currently ongoing in relation to the restructuring of the communications department.

On his part, Mr Adomako Baafi has expressed misgivings about how the issues on appointing a substantive Director of Communications were being handled.

Speaking to Accra based Okay FM Wednesday morning, he expressed regret that the General Secretary, Mr John Boadu has not restrained himself from commenting on the matter on radio when the discussions were still ongoing.

Sounding proverbial, Adomako Baafi said time changes and that the party has had general secretaries such as Sir John and Dan Botwe who are still famed by party members.  

He revealed John Boadu has had discussions with him [Baafi] but it was needless for him to comment on it in a radio interview.

"He is my brother, I respect him" and I expect him to reciprocate that respect and should not create bitterness among our fold, he added.

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh

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