NDC won’t sacrifice party to protect you – Fifi Kwetey warns officials

NDC General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has warned government officials that the party will not shield them from accountability, including jail, over wrongdoing.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Tuesday, he said ministers and chief executives should expect firm action if they fall foul of the standards expected of them.

“If you have to go to jail, we'll jail you.”

Mr Kwetey said the NDC would not sacrifice its reputation to protect individuals. He insisted that the real test of leadership was how it responded when wrongdoing emerged.

“You take a tough decision. You deal with them, no matter who they are, whether they are ministers or they are CEOs, no matter where you deal with them, and that is what makes the difference.”

His comments came in response to a question about an alleged World Cup visa scandal and whether it had raised concerns about the government’s conduct.

Mr Kwetey said he had never expected the administration to complete its term without problems.

“To be honest with you, I didn't expect that we would go four years without any problem. It's not possible.”

He argued that belonging to a political party did not guarantee that an individual would uphold its values. Some people, he said, could profess principles they couldn't live by.

The party had a responsibility to act when those failures became apparent.

“As I told you, the party is not made up of angels. It's humans.”

Mr Kwetey accused the NPP of covering up wrongdoing in government. He argued that scandals themselves were not the central issue under former President Akufo-Addo. He said the problem was the response to them.

“The problem was never a scandal happening under Akufo-Addo. The problem was Akufo-Addo covering it up, pretending it wasn't happening, and defending it. That is the difference.”

He insisted that officials serving under the NDC should expect a different response.

“Under us, if it happens, we will deal with you.”