NPP to ammend its constitution

This is the logoof the ruling New Patriotic Party NPP in Ghana

By William Yaw Owusu

Friday June 2, 2008
THE New Patriotic Party is considering the amendment of the clause in the party’s constitution that allows a limited number of delegates to vote for a candidate to contest parliamentary elections on its ticket.

This is as a result of the controversies that have surrounded a number of the party’s primaries where candidates are elected for the December General Election.

Currently the NPP constitution allows all polling station chairpersons within a constituency plus all the constituency executives to form an electoral college before a Parliamentary candidate can be selected.

Peter Mac Manu, National Chairman of the NPP who dropped the hint in an interview with the Times in Accra on Wednesday said “we want to expand the base of the delegates so that as many as possible will get the opportunity to participate in this important process.”

He said, “It is a constitutional matter and we cannot do anything about it for now but we will take bold steps towards the amendment after the December election”.

The Chairman said currently the party leadership has set up a dispute resolution committee to handle all grievances arising out of the various primaries adding “the committee has received petitions and is actively considering it.”

He said the NPP is making headlines because people now put high premium on contesting for a seat in Parliament on its ticket.

Mac-Manu said NPP activities have so competitive that in the areas where it was dangerous for people to be associated with the NPP, “People are now clamoring to contest seats there on our ticket.”

“I challenge any party that claims to have successfully elected it Parliamentary Candidates without any hitch”, adding “the NPP is experiencing pockets of problems because we make sure that everybody gets the opportunity to speak out”.

He said we are well organised and are among the best in Africa. We have toiled to build this party and we will continue to protect it.”

He urged party supporters to help promote and protect the good name and unity of the NPP.

On the outdooring of the party’s manifesto, Mr Mac Manu said the party leadership selected August because “it will coincide with our annual national meeting”, adding “it is important that that congress which is the highest decision making body takes possession before it gets to the public.”

On the intended award to be bestowed on Prof. J.E.A. Mills flag-bearer of the NDC, Mr Mac Manu said “I cannot make any comment until the President comes back from his trip for us to know the way forward.”