NPP Suspends Member For Slapping A Catholic Priest

The Sekondi New Patriotic Party (NPP) Executive Committee has with immediate effect suspended indefinitely a member, Abdul Ganiu for assaulting a Catholic priest.

Ganiu, is reported to have assaulted the Priest in charge of the St. John the Baptist Parish, Adiembra, Rev. Monsignor Joseph Gyim-Austin in the early hours of Sunday, August 4, 2024

The incident is said to have occurred at an intersection of the Main Sekondi- Adiembra road where rehabilitation work is ongoing

The Reverend Father visits the Adiembra Senior High School every Sunday to have morning mass with Catholic Faithfuls of the School.

He was on his way to the School on Sunday morning when the incident happened.

According to him, he was driving from the Adiembra High Court Road when he met Abdul Ganiu on a motorbike heading towards Sekondi.

Abdul Ganiu after claiming the Rev. Father was careless on the road and could have caused an accident, started raining insult on him.

“He assaulted me verbally; we parted ways and I drove off thinking everything was over. After a few minutes, I heard someone hitting on my vehicle as I descended a mountain. He crossed my vehicle and forced me to stop. I came out of the vehicle and he slapped me without provocation,” the Rev Father told Connect FM’s Omanbapa Morning Show Team.

He later reported the case to the Sekondi Police Station and the suspect was subsequently arrested.

“I went to the hospital upon police request and later returned to write my statement,” he added.

He added that the suspect has since expressed remorse after he was granted bail and has since been to his house on several occasions to render an apology.

“He has been to my house on many occasions, and some executives of the NPP have also been here to apologize whilst the Member of Parliament, Andrew Egyapa Mercer has also reached me on the phone to apologize. I have forgiven him, he is now my friend. We have exchanged contacts and have been checking up on each other sometimes. I believe he is a young man with youthful exuberance who needs counseling. I have also officially written to the police to withdraw the case,” he indicated.

Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of the Sekondi NPP has released a statement condemning the act.

The release, signed by the Sekondi Constituency Chairman, Percy Morgue Ansah indicates that the conduct of Abdul Ganiu is a dent on the image of the party, and as such his membership has been suspended indefinitely.

“These acts of yours are unsatisfactory and not in accordance with the principles of discipline and good behavior expected of members of the New Patriotic Party. Our Party Constitution enjoins members to promote the good name and image of the party and we expect each member to comport themselves and behave in a manner that promotes the image of the party and not otherwise”

“Due to the seriousness of the situation, the constituency executive committee has resolved to suspend you indefinitely from the NPP with immediate effect. It is expected that you will immediately address the situation and take corrective measures to redeem the image of the party before a decision can be taken regarding your future in the Party”, parts of the statement read.

The Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Andrew Egyapa Mercer has condemned the act, indicating the party will take strict disciplinary measures against the culprit

“The act of the young man has nothing to do with the party or its activities. It is his private incident and that cannot be associated with the party. There is no way I will endorse any such action. Violence is not part of our work as a party and I will not look on for any party member to assault anyone.

That is not how I was trained. I have also asked the chairman and the constituency executives to take further action. We will not in any way tolerate these kinds of activities. I have spoken to the Rev. Father and apologized unreservedly”, he told Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, the host of Connect FM’s Omanbapa Morning show in an interview.

 

 

 

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