The Managing Editor of The Herald newspaper, Larry Dogbe, has expressed concerns over the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Vetting Committee's decision to clear Kojo Bamba to contest the party's First National Vice Chairman position. According to Dogbe, Kojo Bamba's past, including his involvement with the Delta Force and incidents that brought him into conflict with the law, should have been considered before he was cleared to contest.
Kojo Bamba won the First National Vice Chairman position at the NPP's national executive elections held in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, polling 3,116 votes to defeat 12 other candidates. Former NPP General Secretary Nana Boadu led the race for the National Chairman position. Larry Dogbe argued that although a previous conviction may not automatically disqualify a person from contesting, the circumstances surrounding Mr Bamba's past made him unsuitable to occupy one of the party's top leadership positions.
Kojo Bamba, a former member of the pro-NPP vigilante group Delta Force, was among 13 members who were convicted in 2017 after they escaped from lawful custody at a Kumasi Circuit Court. The 13 were fined GH¢2,400 each after pleading guilty to the offence. Dogbe questioned the decision to allow Kojo Bamba to contest for a position that would make him one of the public faces of the NPP, particularly given his history with the Delta Force.
Larry Dogbe made these comments while speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV's Breakfast Daily programme on Tuesday, October 6. He stated that the vetting committee did not do a good job, adding that with all the credentials they have, they should have disqualified Kojo Bamba. According to Dogbe, the NPP could have considered assigning Mr Bamba a different role within the party instead of allowing him to contest the First National Vice Chairman position.
Dogbe expressed concerns about the image of the NPP, noting that having someone with Kojo Bamba's history as a public face of the party does not speak well. He emphasized that the NPP should have been more cautious in their selection process, especially given the high profile of the position. The NPP's national executive elections were held in Kumasi, and the party has yet to respond to Dogbe's comments.
The NPP's Vetting Committee's decision to clear Kojo Bamba has sparked debate within the party and among Ghanaians. Some have expressed concerns about the party's leadership and the suitability of its candidates. Others have defended the party's decision, arguing that Kojo Bamba's past does not necessarily disqualify him from holding a leadership position.
The controversy surrounding Kojo Bamba's candidacy highlights the challenges faced by political parties in Ghana in balancing leadership selection with public perception. The NPP's leadership will likely face increased scrutiny in the coming days as the party prepares for future elections. Key issues, including the vetting process and candidate suitability, will likely be at the forefront of discussions.
Key points
- NPP's Vetting Committee criticized for allowing Kojo Bamba to contest despite his past involvement with Delta Force.
- Kojo Bamba won the First National Vice Chairman position with 3,116 votes.
- Larry Dogbe argues that the NPP could have assigned Kojo Bamba a different role within the party.
