The New Patriotic Party over the weekend made a firm statement about its determination to recover its lost political support among the electorate with the successful holding of its national delegates’ congress, especially with the outcome of the elections.
Through very efficient processes, delegates of the party elected almost a new crop of leaders who they believe can support the government to deliver more to inspire greater hope that will reposition the governing party better for another victory in the 2024 elections.
Whatever the processes churned out, the Daily Statesman still believes the NPP must appreciate the efforts of all exiting officers of the party, and be prepared to tap into the rich experiences they have acquired over the years in working for the party.
For this to become possible, both victors and vanquished should see the outcome of the weekend’s conference as a victory for the party, and not a loss or victory for any individual or group, irrespective of what members’ individual or sectional interests may be.
Hope
In this regard, we want to believe that what the grassroots of the party expect from their new leaders is working together with all stakeholders to promote unity and cohesion in the party.
More importantly, we believe the grassroots of the party also expect to see this new dawn of leadership working more effectively with government to inspire greater hope among electorate.
It is very interesting to note that even though many Ghanaians appear disillusioned as a result of the current economic situation in the country, they still don’t find a credible alternative in former President John Dramani Mahama and the leading opposition National Democratic Congress.
This must serve as the ray of hope to inspire the new leaders to move all government and party stakeholders to take the right decisions and actions that will help the governing party regain the confidence of Ghanaians.
Message
It may be instructive to draw attention to the fact that with the weekend’s conference witnessing some ‘chants of change’, a veiled signal was being sent, ultimately, to government. That message may be that the grassroots of the party, and for that matter the electorate, expect to see more dynamism and a renewed sense of urgency in the conduct of government business.
It is clear the grassroots, who appreciate better the feelings and concerns of the electorate, will be greatly inspired to work harder for the forward march of the party if a shake-up is witnessed in government.
Going forward, we also believe the message of the President must not be lost on the party, particularly the new leaders and party communicators at all levels. That message is that, in spite of the raging propaganda from the opposition that the NPP administration has run into a ditch, the electorate can still appreciate the fact that the NPP has the track record of doing better for the country than the NDC, especially in times of crisis.
Leadership
As every Ghanaian or party apparatchiki may admit, any honeymoon for the governing party and incumbent administration ended over the weekend.
In this regard, while some partying may be allowable, Ghana cannot afford to wait for frivolities in the face of agitations by workers and uncertainty in the countryside, including recurring cases of schools threatening to close down due to food supply challenges.
Evidently, surmounting the current challenges confronting the nation requires a new style of creative leadership. And the new crop of leaders of the NPP must demand nothing less from government functionaries, if they are really determined to lead the party to win the 2024 general elections.