A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Akim Oda Constituency, Mr. Ansah Philip Adu, has petitioned the party’s Eastern Regional Secretariat to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Birim Central, Hon. Solomon Kusi Brako.
Mr. Adu, who is currently resident in the United Kingdom, is asking the party to investigate what he describes as conduct by the MCE that is potentially prejudicial to the interests, reputation and public image of the NDC.
The petition, addressed to the Eastern Regional Secretary of the NDC in Koforidua, invokes Articles 39, 40 and 41 of the party’s constitution and calls for the matter to be referred to the appropriate disciplinary body for determination.
According to Mr. Adu, the petition is based on events that have already generated public discussion and media attention.
He alleges that Hon. Solomon Kusi Brako personally published a video on his official Facebook page in which he was seen barefoot and purportedly invoking curses against the Member of Parliament for Akim Oda Constituency, Hon. Alexander Akwasi Acquah.
The petitioner further claims that the Birim Central MCE subsequently granted interviews to various media organisations in which he acknowledged that the video was authentic and confirmed that he was the individual featured in it.
Mr. Adu argues that, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the incident, the conduct requires scrutiny by the NDC because Hon. Kusi Brako occupies a senior public position under an NDC administration.
He maintains that persons holding public office through the party have a responsibility to conduct themselves in ways that protect the NDC’s reputation and uphold its stated principles of discipline and unity.
In his petition, Mr. Adu contends that the controversy surrounding the alleged conduct has the potential to damage the public image of the NDC and undermine confidence in the standards expected of party officials.
He argues that the issue should therefore not be treated merely as a personal disagreement between two political actors but should be examined within the framework of the party’s constitution and disciplinary mechanisms.
“The conduct complained of has generated widespread public discussion and media attention,” the petitioner stated, arguing that it could potentially bring the party into disrepute.
He further emphasised that party rules should apply equally to all members, regardless of their political or public office.
Mr. Adu’s petition specifically relies on Articles 39 and 40 of the NDC Constitution, which he says impose obligations on members to uphold the unity, discipline and good name of the party.
According to the petitioner, those provisions also provide grounds for disciplinary action where a member’s conduct is considered prejudicial to the interests of the party or is likely to embarrass, ridicule or bring the NDC into hatred or contempt.
Article 41, he says, sets out the procedure for submitting and dealing with complaints against party members.
On that basis, Mr. Adu is asking the Eastern Regional Executive Committee to formally receive the petition and activate the relevant disciplinary processes.
The petitioner has outlined five specific requests to the Eastern Regional Executive Committee.
First, he wants the regional leadership to receive and acknowledge the petition in accordance with Article 41 of the party’s constitution.
Second, he is asking that the matter be referred to the appropriate Disciplinary Committee for investigation.
Third, he wants Hon. Kusi Brako to be invited to respond to the allegations and issues raised against him, stressing that this should be done in accordance with the principles of natural justice.
Fourth, he is asking the party to determine whether the conduct complained of amounts to a breach of Articles 39 and 40 of the NDC Constitution.
Finally, should the party’s investigation establish a breach, Mr. Adu wants the appropriate disciplinary sanctions provided under the NDC Constitution to be imposed.
Mr. Adu insists that his petition is not motivated by personal considerations but is intended to protect the integrity and public standing of the NDC.
He said respect for the party’s constitution should apply to every member, irrespective of the office occupied by that individual.
“This petition is presented in good faith and in the overriding interest of preserving the integrity, unity, discipline and public image of the National Democratic Congress,” he stated.
He consequently urged the Eastern Regional Executive Committee to handle the matter with seriousness, fairness and impartiality.
The petition comes against the backdrop of a public controversy involving Hon. Solomon Kusi Brako and the Akim Oda MP, Hon. Alexander Akwasi Acquah.
The matter has attracted public attention following the circulation of a video allegedly involving the Birim Central MCE and the subsequent discussions surrounding its contents.
The petition does not ask the NDC to determine the underlying political disagreement between the two men. Rather, it asks the party to establish whether the alleged conduct amounts to a violation of the party’s internal disciplinary rules.
Mr. Adu has attached screenshots of the alleged Facebook publication, a link to the video, and links and/or transcripts of media interviews that he says contain statements by Hon. Kusi Brako acknowledging the authenticity of the video.
The Eastern Regional Secretariat is yet to publicly announce its decision on the petition or indicate whether it will refer the matter to a disciplinary committee.
Until the appropriate party organs investigate the allegations and give the MCE an opportunity to respond, the claims contained in the petition remain allegations.
By 1960news.com
