NPP takes another look at proposal including decision to promote Affirmative Action

The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr Paul Afoko, has summoned a higher authority of the party, the National Council, to an emergency meeting on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, to take a second look at the whole proposal put forward by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party for the conduct of the party’s parliamentary primaries.

Following the hue and cry from party members across the country, after the NEC approved the road map towards the organisation of parliamentary primaries in which male party members are banned from contesting female members of Parliament, the National Council meeting has become imperative to iron out any emerging differences and the furore within the rank and file of the party.

Party members are, therefore, anxious of the outcome of the meeting on Wednesday.

Some political pundits have argued that it will be disastrous to the electoral fortunes of the party in 2016 if such a policy is implemented, especially so when the affected areas fall under the difficult constituencies. They believe that the party is likely to lose those seats as a result of apathy. 

Angry supporters

Some supporters of the NPP last Tuesday thronged the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down in Accra to register their displeasure at the party’s decision to disallow male aspirants to contest incumbent female Members of Parliament.

Wearing red armbands and numbering about 70, the supporters, made up of both women and men, demanded that the party should rescind its decision to implement that policy for the upcoming parliamentary primaries slated for May 24, 2015.

The group also matched to the Nima residence of the party’s flag bearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo, to express their displeasure.

The supporters were mainly from the Ablekuma West Constituency in the Greater Accra Region and Awutu Senya East Constituency in the Central Region.

According to some of the members of the group who spoke to the Daily Graphic, the decision by the party could cause NPP to lose the 2016 general election.

One of the protestors, Mr Evans Tawiah, said the decision to allow the female incumbent MPs to run unopposed was a bad one from the party.

“This is like giving us sugar bread and expecting all of us to eat although some people are diabetic. We cannot allow this to happen and if they force us to accept that then the party should blame itself,” he said.

Another protestor, Ms Precious Gamar, argued that the incumbent MP for Ablekuma West Constituency, Ms Ursula Owusu, had failed the constituency and, therefore, cannot be allowed to contest for 2016.

“If someone is willing to contest the Ablekuma West seat, he must be made allowed,” he added.

Party chairman 

Mr Afoko, who confirmed the Wednesday meeting, gave an assurance that the leadership of the party would always work in its interest.

On the proposals adopted by the NEC, Mr Afoko declared, ‘’In principle I support the idea to enhance affirmative principles within the body politic of the party, as well as other proposals to make the party more attractive to the electorate and Ghanaians at large.’’

He, however, pointed out that “we, as a party, must develop these proposals as party policy in its  implementation strategy. I  think it is the implementation that  has caused the whole problem.’’ 

He, therefore, expressed the view that the National Council meeting would endeavour to reach a conclusion that would satisfy all the groups.

Road map

At its  NEC meeting last week  Monday, the  party, among others, adopted a proposal for only female aspirants to contest the 16 female Members of Parliament in their respective constituencies.

Similarly, the following coastal constituencies in the Greater Accra Region should be contested by Ga indigenes except in exceptional circumstances: Ngleshie Amanfrom, Ablekuma South, Odododiodio, Korle Klottey, La Dade Kotopon, Ledzokuku and Krowor.

The rest are Tema East, Tema West, Kpone Katamanso, Amasaman and Obom Domeabra.

Nomination fee for aspirants seeking to contest the upcoming parliamentary primaries of the party was pegged at GH¢30,000.

It was also agreed that nominations for the parliamentary primaries be opened on March 30, 2015, and closed on April 10, 2015.

Vetting of aspirants will take place from  April 13 to 17, 2015 and announcement of vetting results  on April 20, 2015.