Former Member of Parliament for Mfantseman West and one-time Information Minister in the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Stephen Asamoah Boateng, has expressed concern about how some Regional Executives and some key individuals in the party are busily campaigning for themselves and their favorites; a situation he says is a clear breach of the NPP�s constitution and procedures.
Peacefmonline.com has stumbled upon an internal memo addressed to the National Council of Elders and Patrons, which is also copied to the NPP�s National Executive Committee, ex-President J.A. Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo.
In the leaked internal memo, the former MP said General Secretary of the party, Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie and National Chairman, Hon. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey stands being accused of �clear bias� if allowed a central role of preparing the modalities for electoral processes within the party.
To him, the �Thank You� tour of the country to be embarked on by some NEC members will be used as an �obvious objective of campaigning� and dropping of strong hints of their intention by some of the members.
�Can they be trusted to conduct free and fair elections when others are also interested in competing with them?� Hon. Asamoah Boateng asks.
Below is a reproduction of the internal memo.
INTERNAL MEMO
From: Stephen Asamoah-Boateng
To: National Council of Elders and Patrons
Cc: National Executive Committee, President J.A. Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo
Re: Appeal For Order And Focus In NPP
I am deeply disturbed by recent utterances and actions by some members of the National Executives Committee (NEC) of the party and attempts by other party people to bypass party constitution, procedures and practice in the running of the party�s affairs
Our constitution and internal mechanism, literary, give the General Secretary the central role in the electoral processes within the party. The posture and public utterances of the current occupant, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, have shown clear bias if he is allowed to be part of preparing the modalities for our elections. The National Chairman, Hon. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, is also feverishly putting in place his own plans to seek re-election. I am also aware of the Chairman�s view to seek drastic changes in the processes of conducting our elections. Can they be trusted to conduct free and fair elections when others are also interested in competing with them?
Most disturbing is how regional executives and some key individuals are campaigning for themselves and favorites, in clear disregard to our constitution and procedures.
At this crucial time, the party�s attention and energies should be directed at:
Concentrating the minds of Ghanaians on the urgent changes needed in the Electoral Commission and its processes (to be conducted through media outlets) and,
Re-organization and strengthening our communication set-up, both within and outside (to be undertaken in a decorous housekeeping manner).
However, what we see and hear are attempts by some party people to compel the whole party to abandon due processes of electing officers and Flag bearer. If that is not the case, what then are we hearing of a so-called �Thank You� tour of the country next week by some NEC members with an obvious objective of campaigning for themselves and dropping strong hints of their intended review of electoral processes?
We are losing our attraction to the youth. I humbly appeal to you to call for order and calm in the party, and to focus our minds on what will endear the party to Ghanaians.
Thank You.
Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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