Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, the Chairman of the Council of Elders of the New Patriotic Party has bemoaned the current state of affairs within the party ahead of Saturday’s presidential primary.
Giving his opening address ahead of the Council of Elders’ meeting at the Alisa Hotel, Mr Owusu Agyemang candidly expressed his concern that the pursuit of personal interests may be overshadowing the shared goal of the party.
The NPP will on Saturday, November 4, select a flagbearer for the upcoming 2024 elections. The race has generated considerable excitement, with four prominent party members vying for the position.
In a statement that resonated with many within the party, Mr Owusu-Agyemang said, “Fellow patriots, taking a deeper look at our party today, I see a party which may be weaker by our attitude, our utterances and our disrespect for each other as well as our lack of discipline. I see a party sometimes with disputes and difficulties and acrimony.
“I see a party where members are refusing to work together for a common goal. We have allowed our selfish interests to override the common goal. I am not pointing fingers at any of us maybe we are all responsible. Fellow patriots, it has become clear that some deep personal interest and bitter political resentment might have reared their ugly heads, especially among all the presidential aspirants and their supporters.”
Mr Owusu-Agyemang, a veteran of Ghanaian politics and a former Member of Parliament for New Juaben North, emphasized the need for party members to remember the bigger picture of breaking the Eight.
He urged them to focus on the principles and values that have guided the NPP over the years, rather than personal ambitions.
He indicated that the race for the flagbearer position has, at times, generated passionate debates and disagreements within the party and among supporters of the presidential candidates but he called on all the presidential aspirants to eschew divisiveness and stay united after Saturday’s presidential primary.
Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is tipped to win Saturday’s presidential primary. His closest contender is Kennedy Agyapong, MP for Assin Central. Also in the race for the flagbearership slot are former Minister for Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto and former Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh.
Ahead of the New Patriotic Party’s November 4 primaries, a leading member of the party, Dr. Arthur Kennedy, has asked delegates to look out for the country’s interest, not for a candidate who would give them money.
He said, “They (delegates) should be looking out for the national interest, rather than who will give them money.”
“They should be looking out for the NPP’s interest, rather than the interest of those who have led the most vibrant political party in sub-Saharan Africa to the edge of bankruptcy and discredit. That is what delegates should be doing.”
Over 200,000 delegates are expected to partake in the NPP’s presidential elections, scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has asked stakeholders of the presidential primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to comply with its directives to ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful and orderly manner.
In a statement signed and issued by Simon Osei-Mensah, Chairman of Ashanti REGSEC, on Wednesday, he stressed that the security of the premises will be the responsibility of the State Security, and as such, no machomen or any other private security will be tolerated on the premises.
“No motorbikes will be allowed in and around the premises; no T-shirts, dresses, paraphernalia, or any other item embossed with the names or pictures of aspirants will be allowed on the premises; only staff of the Electoral Commission, accredited polling agents of aspirants, and delegates voting are allowed within the inner perimeter of the premises.”
“Delegates are not allowed to go into the inner perimeter with mobile phones; delegates are advised to leave the premises as soon as they cast their votes; bodyguards of ministers, deputy ministers, and other dignitaries are not allowed to enter the inner perimeter, and bodyguards of ministers, deputy ministers, and other dignitaries are not allowed to carry their weapons within the premises,” he stated.
Mr. Osei-Mensah further underscored that delegates who report to the premises after 2:00 PM will not be allowed to vote, but any delegate who is in the queue before 2:00 PM and has not voted will be allowed to vote.
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“The Council wishes to state that anyone who flouts any of the above directives will be dealt with,” he added.
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