The committee in charge of the upcoming national executives’ elections of the governing New Patriotic Party has so far demonstrated a firm resolve to deliver to expectation.
It has almost moved the next level in ensuring that the party consolidates its gains, and provides yet another proof that its house would be in order ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The quality of the team, which is led by stalwarts with experience, has already shown in its open commitment to discourage vote-buying and similar malpractices that are infecting the political space in the country.
For both the incumbent party and the leading opposition party, the effort and commitment to prove that politics can be clean in Ghana is a healthy signal that Ghana may be improving on its good governance and democratic credentials.
While the tough decision has reverberated into all constituencies across the country, its success rate, however, remains to be seen.
So far so good
With less than two months to the elections, indications are clear that the processes have been largely fair. That is why there has been no report of a major complaint from any of the candidates for the various positions.
What appeared to be an initial concern over getting a credible delegates’ album has largely been addressed, with an assurance that the album will soon be made available to the candidates for the required scrutiny.
It is also refreshing to note that the candidates have, so far, been decent and measured in their campaign, except in some few cases where the focus has been attacks on competitors instead of what they offer. That is understandable, to some extent, as far as the game is concern, so long as the candidates do not slip into ‘excesses’.
While earlier processes for polling station and constituency elections generated some ripples, the party managed to overcome it, and the eventual output was generally satisfactory.
That has been the character of the NPP, which believes in its solid traditions and consensus-building even in difficult times.
Delegate responsibility
The perception of a party delegate, particularly for the NPP, is one of ‘a smart player’. That creeping tendency may have set in within the last decade, after the New Patriotic Party had appeared to have lost its volunteerism spirit.
The expectation of the party leadership should therefore be a return to the former glory, when foot soldiers, eager to see the party victorious, would steadfastly play their monitoring or grassroots campaigning roles in the knowledge that they would be doing it for the nation.
So far, the response from delegates since the leadership ‘outlawed’ vote buying has been tacit acceptance, a proof that while some motivation is natural, moneybags would not be given wholesale control of the strongest political party in Ghana today.
It can be done
Given the current crisis facing government and the ordinary citizen, it would be self-defeating if the NPP leadership hadn’t blockaded the space. But the process can still be tweaked later into a normal, healthy support system that benefits foot soldiers without discrimination, regardless of where a delegate puts his or her vote.
But the times also call for a crafting of relevant messages of hope, to be taken out by foot soldiers from this day onwards, as the grounds get tougher, with the opposition National Democratic Congress firing its propaganda missiles at the least opportunity.
The opinion of the Daily Statesman is that as the quiet campaign for positions hits the grounds, care should be taken by the rank and file of the party to avoid discrimination in all its forms.
The processes must remain fair to all stakeholders, as the party seeks to consolidate the gains needed to go into battle in 2024 united. That is what will ensure another resounding victory.
With a fair measure of unity, hard work and commitment, the Daily Statesman believes it can be done.
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