NPP-USA Hosts a Successful NPP International Conference in Denver

On May 29-30, 2009 NPP-USA hosted the second NPP International Conference in Denver Colorado. Participants came from the length and breadth of the NPP Kingdom- Ghana, all the states in the USA, Italy, Holland, UK, Ireland, Australia, Germany, Nigeria , Canada and lands too many to list. Under the leadership of outgoing NPP-USA Chairman, Kofi A. Boateng, every detail was attended to and the attendees deemed the conference a tremendous success. It was the first time that the New Patriotic Party of Ghana had met to address concerns and strategize to win back the political power they narrowly lost in the 2008 Ghana elections. The NPP-USA Colorado chapter, led by Barima Boadi Amponin and ably assisted by Yaa Frimpong did a masterful work in making sure everyone was comfortable and well attended to. All participants expressed their thanks to Dr. and Mrs. DeSouza who welcomed the attendees and saw them off with two sessions of sumptuous meals.

The theme of the conference was appropriately: “Reflect, Rebuild and Recapture.” Speakers included the party's big names such as the 2008 Presidential Candidate -Nana Akufo-Addo, Party Elder- Mr. Kwame Pianim, NPP General Secretary-Mr. Ohene Ntow, 2007 Presidential Aspirants: Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku and Dr. Kobina Arthur Kennedy. One can imagine that the opening session where the attendees considered why the party lost the 2008 Presidential and parliamentary elections was full of tension. Prof. Kwaku Asare used a bucket analogy to assess the interplay of the Campaign Team, Government and Party and how problems develop when these are not in synch. Mr. Kwadwo Alan Kyeremateng sent in a message that called for unity among the party members, a view that was echoed by the party's General Secretary, Nana Ohene Ntow. Speaker after speaker admitted that the party has problems but none too big that it cannot overcome to wrestle power from the current National Democratic Congress in 2012.

Towards this goal, there was an overwhelming cry for the implementation of One-Member, One Vote (OMOV) for the purpose of selecting NPP candidates during the primaries. NPP-USA showcased the first implementation of OMOV in Ghana's history for the selection of its new national leaders. In ten days leading to the Conference in Denver, all members in good standing of NPP-USA had the choice to vote on-line or receive paper ballots with more than 99% choosing to vote on line. For the first time, instead of limiting voting to only those who attended the congress, all members could and voted. The results were announced to an anticipating crowd in Denver. The winners were: Chairman-Nana Kwaku Agyei Yeboah (CT), First Vice – Kwasi Afrifa (NY), General Secretary- Dr Philip Bannor (TN) and Treasurer – Barima Boadi Amponin (CO). Under a new NPP-USA regulation, the four elected officers in conjunction with the Advisory Board will appoint the remaining executive officers with an eye towards diversity and expertise.

Dr. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng and Mr. Kwame Pianim sounded a note for the party to re-examine its principles for it to regain power. Nana Akufo-Addo added that former President Kufuor has been an excellent for Ghana and needs no bashing. Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh of Seton Hall University took the participants through amendments needed for the party's constitution while Mr. Kofi Boateng sounded the call for planning for the additional work ahead such as the implementation of ROPAA (Representation of the People Amendment Act) that allows Ghanaians abroad to vote, OMOV and amendments to Ghana's citizenship laws that discriminate against its dual citizens. Kwasi Afrifa made a presentation on the party as an organization that needs to pay attention to all its parts from the polling stations to its members abroad. The surprise of the night was a presentation of a leadership award and expression of appreciation to the outgoing NPP-USA Chairman, Kofi A. Boateng, by all the Chapter Chairpersons. This writer adds: “Well done Kofi and congratulations to all the new NPP-USA leaders.”