Director of Political Affairs at the Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Mr Frank Asiedu Bekoe popularly known as ‘Protozoa’, has issued a disclaimer on social and print media publications that have cited him as a beneficiary of the scuffle that ensued between supporters of the MP for Suhum Mr. Oboafo Kwadwo Asante and the Eastern Regional grassroots communication team over the weekend.
According to him, he was not a party to the scuffle at Suhum hence publications to the contrary are a gross misrepresentation and distortion of facts aimed at casting a slur on his reputation.
In a statement issued on Monday, Protozoa stated he neither has the capacity nor the interest to incite party grassroots communicators against the hierarchy in Suhum.
He said, “Rather, the rift was between supporters of Hon. Oboafo Kwadwo Asante and members of the Eastern Regional grassroots communication team who had come to sympathize with their colleague communicator, Opare.”
“I, Frank Asiedu Bekoe (Protozoa), am in no way associated with any of the parties engulfed in this open tussle.
“I only attended the said funeral as a true son of Suhum and also based on my love for our dear Communicators within the echelons of the NPP and the need to empathize with my good friend Opare whose father was deceased.”
The publications being circulated, he reiterated, are therefore not only complete falsehood but mischievous and orchestrated attempts purposely contrived to cause public ridicule to his personality.
He condemned the violence that marred the funeral as a barbaric act by unscrupulous persons and wished victims of the attack a speedy recovery.
He urged the public to stay calm and allow the law to take its course since the matter has been reported to the Ghana Police Service in Suhum for investigation.
Grassroots communicators abandon Suhum MP
Meanwhile, the Eastern Regional Grassroots Communicators of the NPP have announced a decision to indefinitely suspend all party communication involving the MP for Suhum Constituency, Oboafo Kwadwo Asante.
The communicators warned that until the MP renders an unqualified apology, they will boycott every party activity related to the MP in both the traditional and print media.
According to the communicators, the MP failed to demonstrate leadership at the funeral that led to an assault and subsequent injuries to some members.
A statement issued by the communicators and signed by Sammy Boakye described media reports on the incident as blatant falsehood hence the need to set the records.
According to him, the Eastern Regional Grassroots Communicators attended the funeral of the colleague’s father and requested to join the entourage of the MP in extending condolences to the bereaved family since they are all cherished members of the NPP.
He said, “After informing the PA of the MP of our decision, we were clearly informed that the MP does not recognize any of us as members; hence, we cannot join his entourage in extending our condolences to our dear brother.”
“At that material moment, we were left with no option than to ask for permission to leave the funeral grounds for other equally important engagements.”
“Our spokesperson was, therefore, asked to seek permission for us to leave during which he expressed our deepest displeasure and dismay at the position of the Suhum MP and his team to disrespect hardworking grassroots communicators of our dear party in that degrading manner.”
The spokesperson, he said, was however attacked by supporters of the MP who manhandled him in an uncharitable manner.
According to Sammy Boakye, the mob then turned on innocent leading members of the Eastern Regional Grassroots Communication Team when they attempted to rescue their colleague from harm.
He stated that the MP’s driver in the process grabbed a machete from the MP’s vehicle and slashed the forehead of one colleague, Bernard Kwasi Amoani, who was rushed immediately to the hospital for medical attention.
“We, the Eastern Regional Grassroots Communications team of the NPP wish to state categorically and emphatically without any equivocation that we are disappointed in the actions of the MP for not showing leadership throughout the process of the attack on our colleagues.”
“Not being able to calm tempers down knowing very well that we all worked towards his Victory in 2020 and continue to work for the NPP party and indeed masterminding the attack on us and innocent members of our dear party,” he said.
Sammy Boakye called on the public particularly NPP members to be wary of the MP and his team because they are intolerant and have the tendency to assault without provocation.
The matter, he said, has been referred to the BNI, the CID and other security institutions who are investigating the incident in order to bring the culprits to book.
