A prominent member and flagbearer hopeful of Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP), Boakye Agyarko, has launched a scathing critique of the party’s revised internal election timeline. According to Agyarko, the decision is “strategically unsound, politically indefensible, and organisationally reckless”.
Agyarko expressed concerns over the party leadership’s approach to setting dates for presidential and parliamentary primaries. He noted that the National Council, the party’s second-highest decision-making body, met on December 23, 2022, without a prior agenda and proceeded to undertake “age-old gymnastics” on when to hold the primaries.
Allegations of Deception
Agyarko highlighted that immediately after the meeting, a private media outlet published a program with specific dates and timelines for the upcoming primaries, which the party later denied. He questioned the brazen audacity to deceive, suggesting it was an attempt to impose a narrow will on the silent majority or gain an undeserved advantage over others.
Call for Constitutional Adherence
The NPP flagbearer hopeful emphasized the importance of adhering to the party’s constitution, which stipulate that the flagbearer be selected 24 clear months before the presidential election date. He argued that granting flexibility in the constitution’s language could be misused to the detriment of perceived internal opponents.
Concerns Over Internal Party Dynamics
Agyarko also expressed concerns about the party’s internal dynamics, warning against actions that could be seen as “mafiasing” opponents, which could harm the collective interest and brand of the party. He cited proverbs to drive home his points, including “if you trample on what belongs to others in search of what may legitimately be yours, you will never find it”
The party’s decision-making process and timeline for the primaries have sparked controversy, with Agyarko’s critique adding to the growing debate within the NPP.