After a hectic battle, the presidential and parliamentary elections have been lost and won – with the business of transitioning being foremost, as Parliament opened early this week for basic business.
As it is turning out, members of the National Democratic Congress, led by former President John Dramani Mahama, very happy they won some decent number of seats, are deluding themselves into believing, against the figures released, that they actually won the total battle.
While we commend the incumbent President for the repeat feat, we believe that the leadership of the New Patriotic Party will be looking at the options, against the background of lost seats and the stiff competition that affected performance into the Legislature.
Plugging loopholes
As the opposition National Democratic Congress makes a shameful attempt to head for the Supreme Court, we believe it is also pertinent on the part of the flagbearer of the NPP and President of the nation to explore very credible options to ensure that each organ of the party performs to perfection in fighting and winning 2024.
Before that is done vigorously and victoriously, it is imperative that the structures are wired robustly such that the governing party does not witness again a situation where the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is left alone to bear the party on his shoulders like a Phantom and Colossus.
In doing that, he must reflect on the performance of delegates at the various constituencies and at national level. Then, he needs also to consider the input of appointees and, particularly, the role of the local government agency chiefs whose responsibilities should have impacted positively on the total performance of the governing party but, unfortunately, didn’t.
Party organs/wings
One by one, he needs also, in our humble opinion, to assess each segment of these vital political organs, including the communications, women, youth and NASARA wings of the party, and whether the input of such groups add enough value and substance onto the grounds in attaining results.
Finally, the party must also admit that it is long overdue reviewing the role of delegates at constituency, regional and national levels in igniting the party as a political organisation into the future. This is important in growing a strong and vibrant party, capable of picking winnable candidates over time and forming government for the benefit of Ghana’s development.
So that it positions itself and make history as the only party in Ghana in handing over to itself, we would urge the President to make a firm statement in that regard in proving that, while he may be a true ‘grandfather,’ he would not countenance laziness and opportunism among a section of his appointees.
The NPP, it is understood, is a party for accomplished citizens and progressive-minded youth. That has been its driving force since 1969, 1979 and up into 1992 till date; and that must remain an agenda of the party, if it cares about remaining in power and delivering on its mandate as a political organisation of merit since national independence.
Unfortunately, after growing in numbers from 2000, the commitment and sacrifice culture appear to be dwindling a decade and half on, allowing for pockets of mercenary activists that put party interests to jeopardy in the long run. That is why the NDC 2020 posturing should be seen as a wake-up call to the NPP to dust up and reinforce its structures.
It is therefore the unwavering conviction of the Daily Statesman that the President leads as flag bearer of the party, in introducing those reforms that are needed to strengthen the NPP into the 2030s and 2040s for the good of Ghana.
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