Abronye to NPP: Don’t change a winning team

The Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe Abronye, has observed that the internal political machinery of the governing party has shown great leadership in ensuring internal democracy, which is the envy of all other political parties within the country.

Speaking exclusively with the Daily Statesman, he said the NPP is getting things right, per conduct of its internal elections, adding “since the return to constitutional rule in 1993, this internally strong structure had enhanced our performance in general elections till date”.

“Recently, the NPP demonstrated this through its regional elections. NPP has deepened its internal democratic culture by successfully organising 16 regional conferences. And, undoubtedly, it peacefully saw the retention of 13 chairpersons, with three new faces emerging in the Bono East, Western North and Eastern regions. Even, prior to that, the party had also successfully organised polling station, electoral area and constituency elections, all without hitches,” he stated.

Readiness

According to him, for the NPP to have undertaken these conferences peacefully demonstrates a certain commitment, particularly among the footsoldier base of the party, to showcase its readiness “to work their socks off come 2024”.

“The truth of the matter is that a lot will depend on the footsoldiers for the party’s success in the 2024 general elections. All is not done, because there is pending elections for national, which is less than two weeks from now. We also have the flagbearer contest, and even the selection of our MPs for the ninth parliament,” he pointed out

He said these intra-party elections should ensure that all party members and faithful form a well-knit political party.

“Just like the regional executive elections, there were winners and losers; and certainly, these national executive elections will also see winners and losers. Although defeat is painful, that is the essence of any contest. There will, by all means, be winners and losers. But it will always be a show of maturity for the winners to feel humbled and privileged to be voted into power to serve,” he added.

He noted that the process towards the annual national delegates’ conference has been a smooth and peaceful exercise, saying “the momentum among aspirants is still high despite the noise of government’s engagement with the IMF”.

‘Big minds’

Meanwhile, he has indicated that what the party needs today is a crop of leaders with “big minds” to occupy its national executive positions, and help catapult the party into another victory in the 2024 general elections.

Mr Baffoe said a major reason why the NPP should not play with the 2024 elections is that the NDC “is committed through fair or foul means to recapture power”.

He stressed that on account of that, it is imperative that elected office holders go the extra mile in achieving the ‘breaking the 8’ agenda.

In his opinion, even though variety and options are key in taking vital decisions, it is trite knowledge that “we don’t change a winning team.”

“We don’t change a General Secretary with experience, neither do we change any of the national executives with the wherewithal to deliver. We need ‘Adwenekεseε’. ‘Adwenekεseε’ has strengthened the internal democracy of the party. We need experienced drivers to drive the party to its destination of victory. We don’t need a learner. We should eschew self-interest because the pathway towards the elections is not all smooth,” he added