NPP Shoots Down All Girls MP Contest

The decision by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to allow only women to contest their sitting female Members of Parliament (MPs) has suffered a major setback following spontaneous agitations by party supporters against the move.

DAILY GUIDE learnt that the National Council meeting tomorrow might reject the proposal to create a safe passage for some female MPs in the unpopular affirmative action adopted by the NEC in order to boost the female MP stock in Parliament.

The NPP on Monday put out the road map for the primaries to elect parliamentary candidates with a set of guidelines for the contest.

But the rule, which would allow only women to contest in constituencies with sitting female MPs, however generated a huge debate in the party amidst a series of protests.

Irene Naa Torshie Addo-MP, Tema West (left) and Ursula Owusu-MP Ablekuma West

Members, especially those in constituencies likely to be affected by the new rule, therefore petitioned leadership of the party over the decision, thereby bringing pressure to bear on NEC to revert same.

A number of these agitated party faithful besieged the Nima residence of the NPP flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, in the early hours of yesterday, to express their disagreement with the directive.

They came from areas like Asamankese, Kasoa, Dansoman and Tema – areas likely to be affected by the decision – insisting that the proposed policy was unconstitutional and warned the party might lose the much anticipated 2016 general elections if it pushed the agenda through.

Others later stormed Nana Addo's private office to express their dissatisfaction in his absence.

Leadership of the party was therefore expected to reconsider the decision, with Nana Addo said to be meeting the female MPs.

He also met with the Council of Elders yesterday on the same issue.

Second Look
Nana Akufo-Addo however said leadership of the party would take a second look at the guidelines set for its upcoming parliamentary primaries scheduled for May 24.

He told DAILY GUIDE, 'I have noted their concerns and wish to assure all members of the party that the necessary consultations are taking place amongst leadership towards addressing them.

'I have listened to and met a lot of our party members who are unhappy with a directive issued by the National Executive Committee on Monday March 23, which seeks to allow only women aspirants to contest parliamentary primaries in constituencies held by our 16 women MPs,' he noted.

In the meantime, he urged all NPP members to 'remain calm, knowing that leadership has the best interest of the party at heart'.

Adwoa Safo's Fear
Adwoa Safo
Interestingly, the NPP MP for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, had warned of dire consequences if the party went ahead with the controversial affirmative action policy.

According to her, though the policy was laudable, agitations arising from it could affect the electoral fortunes of the party in 2016.

Adwoa Safo, who spoke on Oman FM, therefore called on the party's leadership to tread cautiously.

The MP, who also stands to benefit from the policy if implemented, noted that the affirmative action policy would be of no use if the NPP lost the 2016 elections.

Freddie Blay's argument
But Vice Chairman of the NPP, Freddie Blay, defended the decision not to allow male MPs to contest female MPs in the parliamentary primaries.

He said the directive was aimed at promoting gender parity.

'It was an affirmative action. In many countries, International Parliamentary Union Acts even indicate that all legislators should have at least 30 percent of gender parity, including women to hold seats,' he told Citi Fm, wondering why party members were protesting over the new directive when Ghana's national Constitution 'allows and encourages …gender parity.'

'It is understandable that some people out of anger will protest but this is a democratic party and it allows for all these things, except that it should be done in a peaceful manner,' he stated.

Mr Blay, a former Deputy Speaker of Parliament, said the party thought it would be a 'positive step' in making parliamentary seats a little bit safer in reserving these for women.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu