- NPP member Abdul Ganiu suspended for slapping a Catholic priest.
- Incident occurred on August 4, 2024, in Sekondi.
- Ganiu apologized and was forgiven, but still suspended.
- NPP leaders condemn violence and emphasize need for discipline.
The Sekondi New Patriotic Party (NPP) Executive Committee has suspended a member, Abdul Ganiu, indefinitely for assaulting a Catholic priest. The incident occurred on August 4, 2024, when Ganiu allegedly slapped Rev. Monsignor Joseph Gyim-Austin, the Priest in charge of the St. John the Baptist Parish, Adiembra.
The Reverend Father was on his way to Adiembra Senior High School for Sunday mass when the incident happened at an intersection of the Main Sekondi-Adiembra road. According to Rev. Gyim-Austin, Ganiu claimed he was driving carelessly and started insulting him before physically assaulting him.
The Reverend Father reported the case to the Sekondi Police Station, and Ganiu was arrested and later granted bail. Ganiu has since expressed remorse and apologized to Rev. Gyim-Austin, who has forgiven him and even considers him a friend.
Despite the apology, the Sekondi NPP Executive Committee has condemned Ganiu’s actions, stating they are a dent on the party’s image. The committee has suspended Ganiu’s membership indefinitely, citing the party’s constitution, which expects members to promote the party’s good name and image.
The Member of Parliament for Sekondi, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has also condemned the act, stating that violence is not part of the party’s activities and that further disciplinary measures will be taken. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about discipline and behavior within the party, with leaders emphasizing the need for members to comport themselves in a manner that promotes the party’s image.
