NPP Research and Elections Officers undergo training to 'break the 8'

The leadership of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the party retains political power in the next general elections as touted in its ‘breaking the 8’ agenda.

To this end, a two-day capacity building workshop has been organised in Sunyani for all constituency Research and Elections Officers in the three regions to sharpen their skills to be able to deliver as expected of them.

The training programme, under the theme: “Building the capacity of Constituency Research and Elections Officers for effective performance” was initiated by the Bono NPP Regional Research Officer, Henry Osei with the support of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), a German Political Foundation linked to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

Dr. Joseph Darmoe, Programme Director for Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) explained that investment in research and development, and in human capital is central to political and economic success in Ghana and therefore adequate investment in research and innovation in the country must be the focal point of the NPP.

According to him, there is ample evidence that research and development, anchored on higher education, has contributed to the rise and expansion of knowledge on the economy.

“With the accelerated growth of a new global economy and the urgent focus on socio-economic issues, there is a need for a national re-calibration and re-sensitization of operations and policies targeted at a sustainable innovative research and development operations,” Dr Darmoe said.

Lost touch

For his part, the Member of Parliament for Dormaa East, Paul Twum Barimah underscored the need to put more energy into the research department of the party ahead of the crucial 2024 elections, adding that his research findings show that the party had “lost touch” with the grassroots and there was the need to reactivate the party’s base.

He has called for party unity and cohesion ahead of the 2024 general elections, saying: "It's time for reconciliation, we will be calling each other, everyone will bring his or her ideas on board because everyone has a role to play and it is time to bring everybody on board. Let’s unite against the task ahead. For me, I think it is a very big opportunity that I would not want to play with it at all.”

Mr. Henry Osei, the Bono Regional Research Officer commended KAS, the Regional Secretariat, MP for Dormaa East, Mr Albert Ameyaw regional patron and other stakeholders for their immense support for equipping the researchers in the three regions with such valuable information.

Present at the programme were the Bono NPP Regional Secretary, Kofi Ofosu Boateng and Mr. Joseph Mensah, the Regional 1st Vice Chairman, a facilitator.