TEMA, Ghana, 5th November: The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Dr Abraham Koomson, has dismissed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) ‘YeGyeyɛ Sika’ demonstration, describing it as unnecessary and part of what he considers the party’s propaganda against the government.
According to him, the NPP lacks the moral authority to accuse others of stealing state funds, particularly when its former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is facing accountability questions.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem programme on Thursday, November 5, Dr Koomson accused the opposition party of using the demonstration to advance what he described as baseless allegations against the government.
He also questioned the involvement of some NPP members in accusing government, particularly Dennis Miracle Aboagye, whom he accused of having unresolved issues relating to the alleged misuse of state funds.
Dr Koomson argued that it is inappropriate for individuals facing such allegations to participate in a demonstration accusing others of financial misconduct.
He further accused the NPP of attempting to infiltrate various sectors, including organised labour, to create difficulties for the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC).
According to him, the NDC has become complacent, allowing the opposition to expand its influence in several critical institutions and structures.
“The NDC have taken things so easily because the NPP, they are all over. Organised Labour, they have infiltrated, and because some of us, that’s why they can’t penetrate, but they are within and they are working,” he said.
The GFL Secretary-General insisted that he would resist any attempt by the NPP to infiltrate his ranks, arguing that the party had little to offer Ghanaian workers.
He claimed that some labour leaders, including himself, had become targets because of their positions against what he described as the NPP’s activities within organised labour.
“Some of us are their target. If they get me, they won’t spare me, but I will never sit down for these criminals to come into my jurisdiction to misbehave or mess up, when I know you have nothing to offer the people. What can they give to workers or do for workers? Nothing. They only come and create problems for us,” he stated.
Dr Koomson also expressed displeasure with what he described as attempts by the NPP to manoeuvre its way back into political power, insisting that he and others would resist such efforts.
“As a workers’ leader, if I see these people trying to manoeuvre their way to take control of governance, it irritates me. It will never happen. We will resist it,” he said.
He, however, urged the governing NDC to strengthen its internal structures and communication strategies to effectively respond to what he considers misleading propaganda from the opposition.
According to him, the NDC must change some people at some critical institutions and there must be structures that can help counter the NPP’s messaging.
“The NDC should be concerned about critical structures that can help them counter some of this infantile propaganda the NPP is doing. It doesn’t make sense,” he said.
Dr Koomson cited the recent controversy involving Damongo MP Samuel Abu Jinapor, who was reportedly asked by Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin to substantiate allegations concerning the alleged sale of diplomatic passports.
He argued that the controversy demonstrated the need for public officials to provide evidence when making serious allegations.
Dr Koomson further alleged that an individual he described as an NPP plant was involved in the diplomatic passport sale issue, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
He warned that allegations made without evidence could easily spread beyond Parliament and influence public opinion, particularly among citizens who may not have the time to independently verify information.
“Parliament, what Jinapor did, the Speaker was asking him to produce evidence, but he couldn’t. Even in Parliament, they are still lying. How much more when they come out to the general public? They will say so many things,” he said.
He cautioned that the continuous spread of what he described as NPP propaganda is gradually influencing public perception, especially among people who rely largely on radio and television for information.
He therefore called on the NDC to establish effective critical structures to respond promptly to allegations and counter misinformation.
Dr Koomson also urged the governing party to resolve its internal disagreements, particularly what he described as the growing rivalry among individuals seeking to become the party’s next presidential candidate.
He argued that the party’s focus should be on strengthening its governance record and developing strategies to sustain its administration rather than engaging in internal power struggles.
“It is for the NDC to sit up and stop that internal wrangling, where everybody is trying to become President. That is their focus, and it is annoying. You want to be President, what are you bringing on board? What are you coming to do? Why can’t you people sit down internally to discuss how you are going to continue governance? But you are fighting, which will open doors for the NPP propaganda to make rounds,” he said.
Dr Koomson concluded by reiterating the need for the NDC to strengthen its internal structures, improve its grass root machinery and develop effective responses to allegations and messages from the opposition.
LISTEN TO ABRAHAM KOOMSON IN THE AUDIO BELOW 👇:
