I'm Not Embattled Yet But It�s Been Deeply Frustrating - Sammi Awuku

National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Samuel Awuku says the party cannot be run as military institution where people are not allowed to challenge orders. National Chairman, Paul Afoko, on Tuesday told journalists at a news conference that all officers at the party�s headquarters will be asked to take a minimum of 15-days compulsory annual vacation as a way of �professionalizing the party�. But speaking on Joy FM, Wednesday, Sammy Awuku said the directive is only applicable in military institutions where decisions from higher authority go unchallenged. �Running a political party is different from running a military institution. You cannot say conform and expect everybody to conform�It will be a very difficult order to follow,� Mr. Awuku noted. He described as impractical for a party in opposition working hard to wrestle power in the generation election to direct its officers to take a vacation in an election year. �That may be a dereliction of duty,� he asserted. The party�s headquarters was the scene of mayhem on Tuesday, when thugs wielding machetes and weapons invaded the premises to disrupt the news conference. Personnel from the police service had to intervene to restore law and order. Mr. Paul Afoko who was addressing the media together with his General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong, later blamed agents of the governing National Democratic Congress for masterminding the attacks. It follows disagreements within the leadership over a directive for the Acting Communications Director, Perry Okudzeto to proceed on two years� accumulated leave. �These scenes that we saw yesterday [on TV] were clearly avoidable�It�s been worrying. I am not embattled yet but it�s been deeply frustrating honestly," the Youth Organiser said. He added: �The NPP belongs to the millions of people who are locked up in villages and cities�we need to give them a voice to speak�. He was however, hopeful that the NPP will bounce back to present a formidable front ahead of the 2016 elections. �Our dream�is on course and I can assure that the very things that they are hearing today will be addressed in just about a week�.