NPP Scraps Controversial Affirmative Action Policies

The National Executive Committee of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has scrapped its two controversial affirmative action policies aimed at protecting its female MPs and encouraging indigenous Ga members of the party to contest for seats in their home region.

The party last week decided to allow incumbent female MPs to be contested by only women in the upcoming parliamentary primaries.

The party also decided to allow only Ga indigenes to contest for parliamentary seats in certain constituencies in the Greater Accra region.

The affirmative action plans announced by party attracted severe backlash from some party members and a section of the public.

Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF), however, backed the affirmative action fiat. NPP MP for Ablekuma West Ursula Owusu-Ekuful also supported the decision saying it would encourage more women to contest for the NPP parliamentary primaries.

But at a NEC meeting held on Wednesday, the party decided to scrap the plans.

The meeting was attended by Former President John Agyekum Kufour; the NPP Flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo; the General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong; Party Chairman, Paul Afoko and other party bigwigs.

Credit: Starrfmonline.com