NDC suspends Koku Anyidoho over misconduct

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has suspended its former General Secretary Koku Anyidoho over alleged misconduct.

In a letter addressed to the former Director of Communications at the Presidency, dated 8 February 2021, the General Secretary of the party, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah disclosed that the decision was reached based on two separate petitions to the party by two registered members of the party.

“At the end of its deliberations the following decisions were taken in accordance with articles 46 (I), 46(6) and 46 (8)(b) of the Party’s Constitution.

1. That with immediate effect your membership of the NDC be suspended
2. That the petitions be reffered to the Party’s disciplinary committee for further action

“You are therefore by this letter to take note, and notice is hereby given, that your membership of the NDC is suspended pending the hearing and final determination of the petition against your conduct,” the letter read.

Background

The Deputy Bono Regional Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Eric Adjei has forwarded to the party’s disciplinary committee, a petition seeking the expulsion of former Deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho, for dragging the name of the party into disrepute and public ridicule with his actions and utterances.

According to him, every member of the party is to defend and protect the NDC as required of members under Articles 45 and 47 of the NDC Constitution.

He said Koku Anyidoho has on several occasions conducted himself in a manner that has brought the party into disrepute and public ridicule and also weakened the unity and cohesion within the NDC in breach of articles 46 [8] and 45 of the party’s constitution.

Below is the full statement:

20th January 2021

The Chairman,

National Executives Committee,

National Democratic Congress,

Adama Ave, Accra, Ghana.

Dear Sir,

PETITION TO THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO EXPEL SAMUEL KOKU ANYIDOHO FROM THE NDC ON GROUNDS OF GROSS MISCONDUCT

I wish to petition the National Executive Committee for the expulsion of Mr Koku Anyidoho from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on grounds of misconduct contrary to the express provisions of the Constitution of NDC and for actions and inactions that are inimical to the progress of our great Party.

This petition is grounded on many instances, ill-will speeches accentuated by malice and calculated to subject the party to public ridicule.

Mr Koku Anyidoho has consistently on his official Twitter handle made pronouncements which damages the reputation of the party. Among some of his tweets are listed below;

On January 16, 2021, he tweeted that " For the News Portals that continue to refer to me as NDC Deputy General Secretary; they should please know that I no longer speak for the NDC because Asiedu-Nketiah decreed that I have no locus to speak on behalf of the Party on the day Ofosu-Ampofo was invited to the CID HQ" https://twitter.com/KokuAnyidoho/status/1350459271956328450?s=20. (Attached and marked A is a copy of the evidence of the tweet)

On January 10, 2021, he tweeted " To the extent that President Akufo-Addo is a product of the Nkrumah Ideological Institute; I shall support him to succeed. Ghana First Flag of Ghana" ~ https://twitter.com/KokuAnyidoho/status/1348163371779166208?s=20 (Attached and marked B is a copy of the evidence of the tweet)

On January 15, 2021, he tweeted " Ghana has a President and Vice President; Ghana has a Speaker of Parliament; We now have, an NPP Majority Side of Parliament as declared by the Speaker; Ghana has a Chief Justice: it is only sick minds that will say that Ghana, is a banana Republic" ~ https://twitter.com/KokuAnyidoho/status/1350094675026305031?s=20 (Attached and marked C is a copy of the evidence of the tweet)

That the aforementioned tweets were widely published by media houses; both print and electronic media as follows;

a. I’m still a ‘loyal NDC member’ but I have a conscience – Koku Anyidoho defends utterances ~ https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/I-m-still-a-loyal-NDC-member-but-I-have-conscience-Koku-Anyidoho-defends-utterances-1142234 (Attached and marked D is a copy of the said publication)

Koku Anyidoho’s advice to angry NDC members ~ https://www.adomonline.com/koku-anyidohos-advise-to-angry-ndc-members/(Attached and marked E is a copy of the said publication)

Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Koku Anyidoho has said that it’s only a sick mind that believes that Ghana is the Banana Republic ~ https://hotfmghana.com/koku-anyidoho-jabs-mahama-in-latest-post/(Attached and marked F is a copy of the said publication)

The above-supporting documents make it undoubtedly discernible as to how Koku Anyidoho has persistently denigrated the name of the NDC in the media.

The current Petition for the expulsion and/or suspension of Mr Koku Anyidoho is grounded in the Constitution of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), specifically articles 39 and 40. His attitude is contrary to the Code and Conduct and the Disciplinary Code of the party.

Article 39 provides that ‘Every Party member shall faithfully comply with and apply the following rules of conduct:

(A) ensure the unity and cohesion of the party at all times;

(B) defend the name of the Party as well as its decisions;

(C) faithfully implement all lawful decisions of the party;

8. Article 40(8) further provides that, ‘A Party member may be subjected or may be made to subject to Party discipline for any of the following:

(A) breach of any of the provisions of this Constitution;

(B) anti-Party conduct or activities likely to embarrass the party or bring the Party into hatred, ridicule, or contempt;

9. Article 40(9) also provides that, the following disciplinary measures may be imposed:

(A) Expulsion

(B) Suspension for a specific period

(C) Removal from office

(D) Ineligibility to hold office

(E) Fine.

10. From the constitutional provisions stipulated above, it suffices to say that, Koku Anyidoho’s conduct in the media amounts to a breach of the constitution of the NDC and his attitude is evidently contrary to articles 39(A)(B)(C) which warrant the punishment stated in article 40(9)(A).

11. Therefore, from the posturing, actions, tweets, and behavior of Mr. Koku and all surrounding circumstances, it is evident that he is in breach of the constitution as a party member.

12. As a member of the great NDC, I Respectfully submit this petition to the highest decision making body of the NDC, NEC, to accordingly refer the matter to the National Disciplinary Committee in accordance with article 40(6) for the appropriate sanctions to be meted out to him.

13. I will appreciate your approval of this petition because it will not only serve as a deterrent to other party members but ensure that there is discipline among members of the party.

…………………

ERIC ADJEI
(BONO REGIONAL DEPUTY COMMUNICATION OFFICER)