Acting National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Danquah Smith Buttey, has confirmed that discrepancies were detected in the party’s peace pact signed on Thursday, January 22.
In an interview on Onua FM on Friday, January 23, Mr Buttey said the error was significant and required attention because it affected the intended meaning of a key statement in the document.
According to him, the mistake was identified by presidential aspirant Kennedy Agyapong, who declined to sign the pact until it was corrected.
“The statement was intended to say ‘we won’t accept,’ but it was mistakenly typed as ‘we will accept,’ which completely changed the meaning,” Mr Buttey explained.
He said the party leadership immediately acknowledged the concern and took steps to correct the error to reflect the true intent of the agreement. Once the amendment was made, the document was properly endorsed, allowing the peace pact process to move forward.
Mr Buttey stressed that the peace pact was introduced as part of efforts to ensure discipline, unity, and peaceful conduct among all aspirants and their supporters, particularly as the party prepares for its internal elections scheduled for January 31.
He dismissed suggestions that the incident reflected deep divisions within the party, insisting that the disagreement was purely technical and was resolved through dialogue.
“This was not about disagreement over principles. It was a simple typographical error, and once it was corrected, there was no reason for anyone not to sign,” he said.
Beyond the issue of the peace pact, the Acting Chairman also used the interview to announce his decision not to contest the position of National Chairman again.
He said the decision was informed by his assessment of the party’s performance under his leadership and his belief that new leadership could better reposition the party.
“I want to make room for individuals with fresh ideas and renewed energy to help grow the party,” he stated.
Reflecting on his tenure, Mr Buttey admitted that some of the goals he set for himself were not achieved, particularly in relation to the party’s parliamentary performance.
“I accepted the position of National Chairman with the aim of helping the party increase its seats from 137. Unfortunately, that did not happen. We suffered significant losses, and I take responsibility for that. My strategy did not work, and it is only fair that I step aside,” he said.
His confirmation of the error comes amid heightened tensions and public commentary surrounding the peace pact, which was designed to promote internal cohesion and prevent actions that could undermine party unity ahead of the crucial January 31 elections.
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