NPP’s disciplinary action against Adwoa Safo premature and risky – Dr Asante Otcere

A senior lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr Jonathan Asante Otcere, has raised concerns over the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision to refer former Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo, to the party’s National Disciplinary Committee. He described the move as premature and potentially damaging to party unity.

The former MP has been vocal in the media, alleging a coordinated effort within the NPP to tarnish her reputation. Her public statements, deemed controversial by the party, led to a warning from the NPP General Secretary, cautioning members against public commentary on internal affairs. However, Adwoa Safo defied the directive and continued granting media interviews. In response, the party referred her to its disciplinary committee, a decision she insists will not silence her.

Speaking on TV3’s Ghana Today programme on Thursday, March 20, Dr Asante Otcere warned that escalating the issue through disciplinary measures could further divide the party at a crucial time.

“The first letter from the General Secretary was meant to foster alignment within the party. However, the subsequent decision to formally refer Adwoa Safo to the disciplinary committee only exacerbates tensions,” he stated. “This should have been a period for reconciliation, not punitive measures.”

Dr Asante Otcere, who is also a political analyst, questioned the NPP’s approach to managing internal dissent, arguing that Adwoa Safo’s case reflects broader dissatisfaction within the party. He stressed that, rather than resorting to disciplinary action, the leadership should have prioritised constructive dialogue.

“In politics, timing is everything. The General Secretary could have engaged her privately, recognising that healing takes time. Instead, pushing for disciplinary proceedings could alienate more party members who share similar frustrations but have remained silent,” he noted.

Citing a recent Global Info Analytics report, he pointed to the growing momentum of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2024 elections, warning that internal discord within the NPP could further weaken its electoral standing.

Dr Asante Otcere also raised concerns about the impartiality of the fact-finding committee chaired by former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, which was established to investigate the NPP’s declining electoral performance.

“Professor Mike Oquaye is a respected figure within the party, but given his close ties to the former president, many members may not see the committee as truly neutral,” he observed. “If the goal is genuine reconciliation, the committee should be more diverse to earn the trust of all factions within the party.”

Referencing historical trends in Ghanaian politics, he noted that parties that fail to manage internal conflicts often face setbacks at the polls. He pointed to NPP strongholds where the opposition is gaining ground, cautioning that unresolved grievances could prove costly in the upcoming elections.

Dr Asante Otcere urged the NPP leadership to reconsider its approach and adopt a more diplomatic and reconciliatory stance. He argued that providing party members with a platform to express their frustrations constructively would help restore unity rather than deepen divisions.

“If party unity is the goal, then open engagement and reconciliation should be the strategy. Taking a hardline approach will only deepen the cracks,” he advised.

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