
NPP flag
The recurring saga of constituency executives of the governing New Patriotic Party, particularly chairmen and secretaries, fluttering their wing during primaries appears to be here with us again.
Interestingly, the controversy about processes is coming largely from the party’s stronghold, which is the Ashanti Region. But that is not to say that constituencies in the other regions would be immune to the mischief of some constituency officers attempting to tinker with the processes.
But that also indicates how vibrant the party is in that region, though the lingering and crucial issue is more about Members of Parliament and incumbent constituency, regional and national executives, sometimes, plotting to apply mischief in retaining their seats.
History
Since 2024, the phenomenon of some constituency executives fighting their chairmen and chairmen fighting MPs, or even MMDCEs fighting MPs, has been a source of worry for the party. How nasty that could be was manifest in late Dr Francis Annang Sowah, for instance, missing the boat when the National Democratic Congress had almost given up on a candidate. It also reflected in how an unholy conspiracy was hatched against the current Fomena MP by actors from the top.
We could go on and on citing cases about how non-performing constituency, regional and national executives often use seasons like this to skew the processes for personal profit even when they know they have lost credibility on the ground.
MP, flagbearer support
We may admit that in times like these, flagbearer aspirants and MPs naturally want to connect with the ground by supporting the processes. Additionally, it may not be out of order for agents of such persons to show some love and for delegates to appreciate them.
What has been clearly wrong is the practice of some constituency and regional executives seeking to block others from lawful participation, while facilitating the processes for others.
As history has taught the party too often, a tidy process will churn our committed and responsible party officers at all level. Similarly, a murky, controversial and untidy process will culminate into factions naturally being bred and tricky challenges during campaigns.
So, in 2016 when the NPP went to the elections united in one, solid, complete resolve to defeat John Mahama and his incompetent bunch, the grounds favoured the party. And with a formidable team across the country in place, the party, MPs and flagbearer led the team to victory.
Conversely, when the party leadership failed to put its act together in some constituencies across the country, it affected the ruling government’s ability to win enough to tilt balance on the floor of the House of Parliament in the 2020 elections.
Stamping authority
Obviously, the 2024 campaign will be turbulent and boisterous, if not chaotic and suffocating. That certainly calls for cool heads, particularly on the part of actors from the ruling party that has everything to lose if the NPP loses momentum.
It is in that light that we call on party leadership – from constituency to national level – to make every effort to tidy up the processes for all participants and prospective delegates.
Incumbency should in no way be an excuse for party leadership to favour persons or groups or factions for personal profit.
The party must, therefore, continue to be that one, strong, united family that has worked hard to make Ghana proud as a global partner in business and development under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.