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09.06.2022 NDC

I will amend NDC's constitution to make the branches vibrant; deputies appointed — Chairmanship hopeful

I will amend NDC's constitution to make the branches vibrant; deputies appointed — Chairmanship hopeful
09.06.2022 LISTEN

The opposition National Democratic Congress ( NDC) National Chairman hopeful, hon. Nii Armah Ashietey has promised to amend the party's constitution so as to make the branches more vibrant and effective if he is given the nod by delegates.

The amendment, Nii Armah Ashietey was optimistic will encourage the branches that serve as the party's foundation to work harder to canvass more support and win votes for the party in the 2024 general elections.

The former Greater Accra Regional Minister made the promise when he interacted with members of the party’s Greater Accra Regional Executive body in Accra. The fruitful interactions were to amongst other things inform the Regional Executives of his intentions to contest for the National Chairman position when the party opens nominations.

Hon. Nii Armah Ashietey commended the NDC’s Regional Executives for their commitment and dedication to the party and urged them to work hard towards winning the next coming general elections in 2024.

The regional body under the chairmanship of Kobina Ade Coker according to the former Greater Accra Regional Minister, did marvellously well during the last elections by annexing majority of the parliamentary seats in the region.

“You must not relent on your efforts but work harder to ensure that we conquer the whole regional seats during the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections," he charged them.

He added, "As an indigene of the region, I cannot embark upon this journey without first consulting and conferring with the Greater Accra Regional Executives for advice and directives."

He pointed out that if he is given the nod to lead the NDC, there are many issues that are very dear to him and he will make sure such issues are attended to in order to make the NDC effective and vibrant.

He amongst other things mentioned that he will take a second look at the NDC’s constitution and make sure it is amended to ensure the party’s branches are made more effective, resilient and very efficient to the benefit of the party.

“The branch is the foundation of the party and must therefore be seen working without fear or favour by empowering all branch executives. All the branches must be able to raise funds to undertake their own activities without relying on the regional or national bodies.

"The amendment must ensure that all active branch members with good standings are given the chance to vote at all levels of the party instead of the current trend where they only vote at branch and constituency levels," the former Korle Klottey MP noted.

Another issue Nii Armah Ashietey mentioned is the issue of monetisation which has bedevilled the party for a long time. He emphasised that because of lack of funds many brilliant, skilful and competent persons cannot contest for certain positions at the regional and national levels.

He promised to look at that canker when voted for and ensure that deputy positions are not contested for but given to such persons who are very brilliant but lack the needed resources to contest for the positions.

He underscored that deputy positions such as communications, organisers, treasurers, women and youth organisers must not be contested but be given out to brilliant, competent but needy party members.

He was very hopeful when that is done many people who are very competent will avail themselves to the service of the party at the various levels.

Nii Armah Ashietey was also optimistic that the NDC has a better chance to recapture power from the incompetent NPP administration based on the current economic hardships in the system.

He however cautioned the NDC to ensure unity, forgiveness and togetherness in order to be able to win the forthcoming polls in 2024. "In unity there is strength and without unity we cannot do anything positive, come the next general elections."

He recommended that all party allies and former appointees who have left the party be brought back on board to work together to help save Ghana from the shackles of the NPP government.

“We can only reclaim power when we do the right thing by doing what must be done or what is expected of us which is unity in addition to concerted efforts. It is only when we do these that we can recapture power and form the next government in January 2025.

"The main reason I am contesting for the National Chairman position is to help unite the party by healing old wounds and bring everyone on board to ensure a massive victory for our dear umbrella party in December 2024," he emphasised.

Responding on behalf of the Executive Body, the NDC Regional Chairman, Mr. Kobina Ade Coker commended Nii Armah Ashietey for the bold step taken.

He however reminded the national chairman hopeful that the party is yet to open nominations and that when the time comes, they as Regional Executives will announce the process.

He thanked Nii Armah Ashietey for the visit and wished him well as he prepares to embark on the nationwide tour to canvass for the support for his bid to become the national chairman.

Mohammed Saani Ibrahim
Mohammed Saani Ibrahim

Journalist/reporter at The Accra TimesPage: MohammedSaaniIbrahim

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