Joe Wise refutes claims NPP ignored former President Kufuor

Joe Osei-Owusu, former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Chair of the NPP’s National Delegates Conference Planning Committee, has dismissed claims that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) deliberately sidelined former President John Agyekum Kufuor ahead of the ongoing National Delegates Conference.

Speaking to JoyNews on Saturday, Mr. Osei-Owusu, popularly known as Joe Wise, addressed concerns raised by the 86-year-old former President, who recently expressed disappointment at being excluded from key party decisions and events.

“Every issue requiring his input was communicated to his designated officers,” Joe Wise stated.
“The suggestion that he was ignored is inaccurate.”

According to him, Kufuor’s late request to postpone the conference could not be honored because preparations were already at an advanced stage.

“The party respects President Kufuor immensely, but by the time his request came in, the planning process had gone too far to reverse,” he explained.

Background

Former President Kufuor had earlier lamented that age should not be used as a reason to sideline individuals who have contributed meaningfully to the party’s development. His remarks drew attention from both party members and the public, prompting clarifications from senior NPP figures.

The NPP’s National Delegates Conference is currently underway at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, bringing together over 5,000 delegates to deliberate on key reforms and proposed constitutional amendments.