NPP suspends two constituency secretaries over fraud

The Central Regional branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has suspended the constituency secretaries for Agona West and Assin South for gross misconduct.

Sources say the move was to instill discipline in the party ahead of the 2020 general elections by Mr. Robert Kutin-led regional executives.

Mr. Richard Takyi-Mensah, the Regional Secretary, who confirmed the suspension of George Prince Koranteng of Agona West and Mr. K. Owusu of Assin South to 3news.com on Tuesday, said the decision was taken after an executive meeting at Mankessim on Monday.

“Yes, the regional executives took that decision to suspend those two constituencies secretaries pending their appearance before the regional disciplinary committee, and the letters are on their way to them,” he stated.

The decision was taken based on petitions brought against the two constituency executives.

Mr. Takyi-Mensah would not open up on the details of the two separate petitions. “Let me keep everything, it is a party issue, all I can confirm is that the regional executives took the decision against them based on the content of the petitions.”

However, a copy of the petition against George Prince Koranteng, sighted by 3news.com accused him of “fraudulent withdrawals from party’s bank accounts”.

The petitioners from Agona West are Benjamin Takyi, Constituency Treasurer, and Ebenezer Kwame Arthur, Constituency Financial Secretary.

“Petition is herein submitted to invoke Article 3(7) of the NPP Party Constitution as amended to sanction Mr. GEORGE PRINCE KORANTENG from continuing holding his position as the Constituency Secretary of the party in Agona West for conducting himself contrary to the meaning of Article 3(5) A.5, and also showing a misconduct act(s) according to Article 4(7) (c) of the Party Constitution as Amended.”

In their statement of facts, the two noted that the constituency’s cheque book is kept by the accused due to his position.

However, a copy of the petition against George Prince Koranteng, sighted by 3news.com accused him of “fraudulent withdrawals from party’s bank accounts”.

The petitioners from Agona West are Benjamin Takyi, Constituency Treasurer, and Ebenezer Kwame Arthur, Constituency Financial Secretary.

“Petition is herein submitted to invoke Article 3(7) of the NPP Party Constitution as amended to sanction Mr. GEORGE PRINCE KORANTENG from continuing holding his position as the Constituency Secretary of the party in Agona West for conducting himself contrary to the meaning of Article 3(5) A.5, and also showing a misconduct act(s) according to Article 4(7) (c) of the Party Constitution as Amended.”

In their statement of facts, the two noted that the constituency’s cheque book is kept by the accused due to his position.

“That Mr. Koranteng has been issuing and signing checks for withdrawal from the party’s bank account at the Agona Swedru Branch of Republic Bank with account number 0253392761018 on several occasions without prior approval by the Constituency Executive Committee, Details of bank statement show that Mr. Koranteng together with the then constituency chairperson, Mr. Joseph Afankwah (a.k.a Kojo Addo) have been withdrawing monies from the said account without the knowledge of the Constituency Executive Committee not even the treasurer and the financial secretary.”

Interestingly, Joseph Afankwah was suspended by the party in February for allegedly recording Prof. Frimpong Boateng in a conversation secretly. It was however alleged that whilst under suspension Mr. Afankwah, together with Mr. Koranteng, withdrew from the party’s account on 24th February and March 12, 2020.

The petitioners attached the bank statement to prove their case before the regional executives.

In their reliefs, the petitioners demanded among others that Mr. Koranteng’s “actions be declared unfaithful and dishonest, and as such, unlawful and malicious with intent to defraud the party and its beneficiaries”.

They also prayed the executives to sanction George Koranteng in accordance with Article 4 (7)(2).

Source: 3 News