Wishing NPP Godspeed

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Delegates' Congress, now under way in Tamale, is expected to climax today, as delegates vote for their preferred candidates for the various offices in the political grouping.

It has been a long and even sometimes tortuous journey, as the various candidates stated their cases to attract the attention and sympathy of delegates.

Today, the efforts of the candidates will be put to the test as the pendulum briefly but significantly turns to the delegates to take the necessary action.

Each time a political party engages in a similar activity, we are excited by the undeniable fact that democracy is taking another step forward.

Various twists have expectedly taken place in the run-up to this great event, but at long last the die is cast. Being a democratic process involving dissenting views from a plethora of interests which must be accommodated, the cacophony which enveloped the journey to today is not surprising.

It has been interesting and sometimes infuriating to different people but that should be expected, given the size of the party and its stature.

Many delegates and the party's sympathizers landed in the Northern Regional capital a few days before today, offering traders and hotel owners an opportunity to make money at a time when business has suffered a countrywide slump. It is also a rare chance for those who have never traveled up North before to have a taste of this important segment of their country.

It is our prayer and expectation that those who have converged on Tamale for this important democratic milestone would not do anything untoward that could cast a shadow over the democratic activity. Even as we pray for a hitch-free Congress, some irresponsible persons who sought to take the shine off the event last Thursday opened fire into a crowd of jubilant party faithful, but thankfully no fatality was recorded. It is gratifying also to note that the excitement associated with the event has not been subdued by the ploy of the killjoys.

The attention of the world is not only transfixed on presidential and parliamentary elections, but also such equally important political assignments like the Congress of major political parties such as the largest opposition party.

Whatever it takes to ensure the success of such an activity should be done since it is about politics in Ghana – not limited to the particular party undertaking the exercise.

The success of a democracy is measured by the ability of the existing political parties to organize inter alia their internal elections to choose their leaders and come out not shredded.

Let both victors and vanquished shake hands and see the triumph as belonging to the party and not to the individual candidates.

When the mantle of leadership changes, if the delegates so wish, a truce should naturally be allowed to take place so the party and democracy can move on in the interest of the country away from the rancour and mudslinging.

We wish all those taking part in this historic activity Godspeed.