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The Executive Secretary of Anchoring Democracy Advocacy Movement Ghana (ADAM-GH) Mr. Emmanuel Salam Azubila said, they share the same opinion with the Majority Leader of parliament, Hon. Kyei Mensah Bonsu’s advise to his party not to go for an Akan flag bearer ahead the 2024 General elections. Mr. Azubila made this known when some media stations interviewed him in Kumasi when he paid two-day visit to the Ashanti Regional Capital for a program. According to Mr. Azubila, the Majority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Kyei- Mensah Bonsu’s advise to his party the New Patriotic Party (NPP) that ” It’s unwise for the NPP to choose an Akan as the party flag bearer in 2024″ has received numerous attacks within his own party which according to ADAM-GH is very unfortunate, dangerous and a threat to the intra-party democracy of the Party which should be all embracing and provide equal opportunity to all members regardless of the religious, ethnic, Creed and other irrelevant considerations when matters of politics is brought into sharp focus. Particularly coming from such a senior most politician in the person of Hon. KYEI-MENSAH BONSU, one of longest serving Members of Parliament in this Fourth Republic is an indication of how NPP are impervious to “Good Counsel” and “Hard Truth”.
We in the Anchoring Democracy Advocacy Movement Ghana (ADAM-GH) is advising the NPP to take a sober reflection on the advise given by the senior politician, Hon. Kyei Mensah Bonsu and also reflect on the foundation of the NPP, which stems from the United Party (UP) tradition spearhead by Dr. Abrefi Busia, Dr. J.B. Danquah and Mr. S.K. Dombo from the North as it founding fathers and the need for this tradition to be respected.
Azubila further stated that the history has always favoured the Akan flagbearership since the inception of this Fourth Republic from 1992 to date and the NPP have a golden opportunity to reverse the tide in favour of an aspirant from the minority group in the country and not necessarily a norther in order to dispel the long held notion of the NPP being an Akan party and that any other tribe is as good as being an ordinary floor member.History reminds the NPP that in 1992 Prof. Adu-Boahen led the Party1996 Mr. John Agyekum Kuffour2000. Mr. John Agyekum Kuffour2004. Mr. John Agyekum Kuffour2008. Nana Addo-Danquah Akuffo-Addo2012. Nana Addo-Danquah Akuffo-Addo2016. Nana Addo-Danquah Akuffo-Addo2020. Nana Addo-Danquah Akuffo-Addo.
In this historical accounts the Busia and the Dankwa families of this tradition have had their share of leading the party in all elections and it therefore strategic and in the interest of neutralizing the unhealthy perception of “Akanizing” the party that the NPP will have to do the needful as per his Wise cohesion to consolidate party unity and cohesion.
It is an open secret that the NPP National Executive committee are made up of close to 95% Akans confirming the negative perception against the party that it’s an Akan party. The available solution to the party now is to open up their National Executive committee to include more of the manority tribes and choose a flag bearer from a non Akan not necessarily a notherner but any competent person from the minority tribes to neutralise that perception. We still did not understand the logic in it when Paul Afoko and Kwabena Agyapong were suspended and Kwabena Agyapong was called back to the party and yet up to now Paul Afoko have still not called back to the party, especially in a situation where Paul Afoko is the first person from the minority tribes to occupy that position in the party.
There is a saying that, “if three ( 3) people are to share three (3) things and one did not get, then it means fairness and equality has been compromised. It also suggests the cheated is subservient or a servant or a slave to the other two”.
NPP as a viable political party in Ghana need to be protected against tribal lines and eschew the description of members of other tribes as calling Foreigners. The NPP is bigger than any tribe in Ghana and must be open to all as the majority leader advised. Ghana’s Democracy cannot be successful and grown stronger if one party emerges the strongest leading to a one party state and therefore the need for the New Patriotic Party to be protected by all well-meaning Ghanaians including Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s), Religious bodies and all Political parties.
The NPP delegates should be made to understand that , the party is now a national asset and that means if they love the future and progress of the party, they should not follow money when selecting a flag bearer for 2024 internal presidential primaries. The delegates should strictly go by the party’s traditions of the three founding fathers (Dankwa, Busia and Dombo). The unity that exist between the founders of the party yesteryears must be respected in the upcoming flag bearership elections ahead of 2024 General elections.This is once again a great opportunity for the NPP to eliminate the long standing negative perception that ” NPP is an Akan party”. Delegates must not sweep the advise of Hon. Kyei Mensah Bonsu under the carpet, claiming that the Majority Leader is having vice Presidential Ambition.
It is the interest of the lovers of Ghana’s Democracy to guard against any potential threat that are likely to undermine the relevance and existence of the two major political parties, the NDC and the NPP.
Signed: Executive Secretary of ADAM-GH
Mr Azubila Emmanuel Salam
0544418072.
