Alhaji Short picks nomination forms; pledges 20 years for NPP in power

The immediate past Upper West Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Abubakari Abdul-Rahman alias Alhaji Short has picked nomination forms to contest the National Chairman position of the party.

Alhaji Short picked the forms on Friday morning from the NPP headquarters at Assylum Down.

The NPP will elect new national officers at its national delegates conference in Koforidua between June 15 and 17, 2018. 

Alhaji Short signing a document before the nomination forms were handed over to him

The seven days nomination period was opened on Thursday May 3, 2018. 

Positions being contested are National Chairperson; 1st National Vice Chairperson; 2nd National Vice-Chairperson; 3rd National Vice-Chairperson, General Secretary, National Treasurer; National Organiser; National Women's Organiser, and National Youth Organiser.

Nomination

Alhaji Short, the first person to pick the forms in the chairmanship race, got to the party’s headquarters in Accra at 10:42 am Friday was accompanied by some supporters and other party officials, including the Anyaa-Sotuom Constituency Chairman of the party, Mr Albert Sam.

He was received and welcomed by party officials led by Mrs Agnes Okudzeto, a member of the party's election committee.

Alhaji Short making payment for his nomination form

Having gone through the required processes, including making payment for the forms, Mrs Okudzeto gave Alhaji Short the forms and wished him well in his campaign.

Goals 

In an interview with Graphic Online about his chances, Alhaji Short said he is coming into the contest with an immediate goal to ensure that the party retains power in the 2020 general elections and to sustain it for at least 20years.

“We need to be in power for long so that we can have full realisation of our policies,” he said, adding that the eight years is not enough for the party to fully implement the “good and noble” policies that it has promised Ghanaians.

He said he is not only interested in winning the chairmanship position but how to bring his experience to the fore to enable the party to maintain power to develop the country.

Alhaji Short said having served 12 years as Upper West Regional chairman, he has hands-on experience to serve in a much higher office of the party.

Mrs Agnes Okudzeto presenting the nomination forms to Alhaji Short

He said some of the major policies he intends to implement when given the nod include making the party attractive to non-NPP members; develop party infrastructure; develop party welfare programmes, and to develop regular training programmes for the party’s executives and members.

In addition, he said, he would also ensure strict adherence to party structures; rotation of national executive committee meetings; frequent visitation to constituencies; ensure an all-inclusive leadership, and to strengthen party-government relations.

Alhaji Short interacting some members of his campaign team in front of the party's headquarters

He said it is about time the party voted for a chairman who could easily relate with both the upper hierarchy and the grassroot members of the party.

Alhaji Short, with the slogan, “Asem pa ye Short” to wit, good message is short, has therefore called on the delegates to vote for him. 

Alhaji Short, is a product of the University of Cape Coast and the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Salzburg, Germany.

He has served in various capacities in the NPP including polling station agent, constituency chairman, regional chairman, chairman of regional chairmen, member of both the National Council (NC) and National Executive Committee (NEC); as well as disciplinary committee.