NPP Delegates Conference: Lessons Learnt And Matters Arising

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has successfully elected its national officers to steer the affairs of the party for the next four years. The election began from the polling stations, constituency, regional and finally to the national level. All the elections went on smoothly without many problems although the chairmanship position was keenly contested and there were a few accusations and counter accusations. One issue of perceived vote buying that has been trending even after the election of the national officers of the party, is the 275 buses for each constituency of the party. The new Chairman, Freddie Blay, who was the acting Chairman prior to the election, said he purchased the buses with a loan facility of 11 million dollars. This has attracted a lot of comments with some people calling for a probe into his financial activities. On the other hand, the new General Secretary, John Boadu also said the buses belong to the party and not Mr Blay although he was the one who brought out the idea for the party to secure the loan to purchase the buses. It is therefore unclear who the owner of the buses is. This is the question the NPP needs to answer to clear the air. However, this mini bus saga did not mar the beauty of the elections. Koforidua, the Eastern Regional Capital, the venue for the NPP conference was awash with campaign posters and party colours. The economy of Koforidua boomed with food vendors making good money. There were reports that hotels in and around the Municipality were all booked. Some of the people who attended the conference had to lodge at hotels in Nkawkaw and Akropong which were far from Koforidua. The Organising Committee, NPP Eastern Regional Executives and the Regional Minister, Eric Kwakye Darfuor should be given thumbs up for a job well done. The Police as usual were deployed to provide security to ensure peace and order. This, they did to the admiration of all. With this show of discipline and respect for each other, it will go a long way to deepen democracy within the party and by extension to the national elections in 2020.

Unlike the NPP national elections in 2014, this one was peaceful and without much problems. However, there are lessons to be learnt from the two elections. In 2014, the aftermath of the election was not the best for the party, it witnessed legal battles as well as suspension of the Chairman and General Secretary. This affected the party greatly but members were able to surmount the challenge and unite to win the 2016 general election with a wide margin. Due to the lessons learnt from the 2014 elections, the main message that run through the speeches was for the members to unite for the 2020 general elections. So far so good, nothing has been heard about disunity in the party though it is early days yet. However it is the hope of all Ghanaians that unity will continue for other parties to emulate. This has deepened the democratic credentials of the party and by extension all Ghanaians. It is the hope that other parties will follow suite to give meaning to the success chalked up by the country in its democracy.

BY: ERNEST OBENG-ANIM, A JOURNALIST.

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