THE ROAD MAP FOR NPP

It is natural that as human beings we turn to express our views openly when we feel strongly that others apart from our immediate friends should hear about certain perceived developments that we think need addressing. In our quest to express such views, we end up occasionally causing more harm than previously thought. There are many NPP members and supporters who are giving all kinds of reasons why the party lost the December Elections. In their desperation to blame others,many of the reasons they have bounded around, are not entirely true.I am sure that might have precipitated the Mac Manu led Executive to issue a threat to discipline any member who dare echos the reasons for the party's defeat on air.I have no clue whether the National Executives have the strategy to discipline any member who goes contrary to the party's directives.

I strongly believe that, it will be illogical to blame one individual in the NPP as having contributed to the party's lost of power.Undoubtedly, it is a collective fault and all must cease fire on blaming individuals in the party.If you love the party, you don't go round broadcasting why the party lost,but you table your argument as how best to bury the past and forge a forward match strategy.That is what every patriotic and sensible member should do.As I said, the NPP lost was a collective mistake done by various stake holders in the party-the National Executives inability to listen to well-tested strategy for the party to maintain power, the Campaign Team's lack of vision to put in place a mechanism to 'microscope' all the party's campaign weapon ie adverts,information flow,rally reports etc,H.E. Kufour's miscalculation of a few decisions he made, the flag bearer's few errors, presidential aspirants inability to weigh their 'winnability' and 'likability ' among the party supporters,Regional and Constituencies Executives inept on various modern techniques of running a political party,the party's inability to fashion out a strategy to destroy the NDC propaganda, all add up to the NPP unexpected exit from power.I must state without any hesitation that, it is indeed very painful when you feel that there are a bunch of party influential people who are obsess in changing the stereotyping and I have no idea the basis for the rejection of sound strategy by these people.As a party, we should cling on the idea of creating a platform where identifiable groups and individuals can channel their views on how the party can zoom into the next century with modern strategy.

So as the party embark on it's mission of wrestling power from the NDC,there are every indication that the NDC will surely use 'wicked' tactics to destroy the NPP matching forward agenda, hence the need for all members to be focused and united to the ideals of the NPP and marshal all strategies that will make the NPP win back power come 2012.The truth of the matter is, the NPP have absolute good-will among majority of Ghanaians than any political party in the country, it is a few things that as a party we have not set right that makes our sympathizers either abstain from voting or look on unconcern when the NPP is being bullied by the hawks in the NDC. Consequently as the NPP brainstorm on how best to alter slightly their agenda, I wish to make a few suggestions (Others will be confidentially sent to the right authorities);

First,I will entreat all Regional and Constituencies Executives to create a forum whereby party members who represent the party on radio/TV discussion, phone ins,all columnists, etc could be 'housed' to share ideas on how not to play into the hands of the NDC who are secretly planning to destroy the NPP.The posture of blaming individual in the party in the media is unhealthy and uncivil.We all have painful things to say but for the sake of party unity and not to fall into the trap of the NDC, we have maturely resolved to make suggestions for the way forward agenda.If supporters of Nana Addo and Alan Kyerematen had put on a little bit of civility and had allowed their educational background influenced their reaction on matters of Nana cum Alan, all this fight as who is who in the party through the media and blaming Nana or Alan wouldn't have arisen.This is the time for all members to grow up and stop the media war .

Second,humility, has been a very tough word that politicians find it extremely hard to epitomize. It is regrettable that the disease-' arrogance' is becoming difficult to heal.As a result of the posturing from some politicians, they have invariably alienated a chunk of party faithfuls.I have been wondering why the show of compassion or empathy to party foot-soldiers had been tough for politicians. MPs,Ministers,Regional Chairmen, and other Executives have always distance themselves from the foot-soldiers,some of these Executives hardly smile to party faithfuls. We throng to Churches and Mosques and hear humility being preached daily but unfortunately it is very bewildered why this basic strategy of winning more souls or members to the NPP is buried.Sadly, in today's democratic world, you dare not tell a politician to show humility in his/her dealing with party foot soldiers.But for those politicians who are finding it very hard to demonstrate humility, they should consult the likes of H.E. Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Hon.O.B.Amoah,Hon.K.Baah Wiredu(may his soul rest in peace) to mention but a few.

Third, I will urge the National Executives never to contemplate on the speculation that they want to endorse Nana Akuffo Addo for the flag bearer for the 2012 battle(how glad would it had been if all the other personalities harboring the flag bearer aspiration will overwhelmingly endorse Nana or another person but because it will not be possible, open the door for any one to contest)Again, there is absolutely no need to place a ceiling on the number of people to contest the 2012 presidential race.It is totally unnecessary for such ceiling.The onerous lies in those decent wo/men to allow their educational degrees to permeate their thinking, that, I won't win, so no need to fight the battle.At times I wonder why a normal human being doesn't think like we party activists..Please take a tour of the entire regions of Ghana and even a child will tell you that there are only two(2)names in the NPP that have the chance to win the flag bearer, so why should an individual in the NPP waste his money and time and gives the party a headache, beats my imagination, this is not a matter of Positive Thinking-think that you will win the NPP race and for sure you will win-that is a kindergarten thinking or reasoning.Put it bluntly, there are only FOUR personalities in the NPP who have the potential to contest, if they desire to go with Nana or Alan, period.Those who think they can' beat' Nana or Alan are leaving in a different planet.

Another important step, should be how to overhaul the structures of the party, it is very bizarre why at this technological age the NPP has not gotten grips on a data base for all it's core members both at the Regional and National level.The paper documentation of membership details should give way for more holistic approach in detailing members information.This data could be used to communicate and disseminate information to all members.This is the time for the theology of Family to be deeply encouraged in the NPP. Effective communication demand that members can be contacted via email, postal,SMS,bulletin and other forms of communication that will be appropriate.Strategic thinkers in the party could be contacted on how best to make this policy possible.With an effective communication platform, dues payment could be done easily and members and sympathizers will surely feel a sense of belonging.

I will equally entreat the party to embark on talent searching as I presented to the National Executives last year August.There are many' Obamas' in the NPP but the party's inability to cast the net wide to bring in all persons with various talents has made some sympathizers to coil.The stereotyping whereby only known faces are usually paraded during rallies, forum or any public gatherings should give way to a new thinking.During the last year campaign, I was extremely uncomfortable why the campaign team failed to allow our Chairmen or their representatives from the Diaspora branches to speak during some of the party's outreach programme..Messrs Atta Krufi(UK)Macdonald(Canada), Kofi Boateng (USA) among others were around but never allowed to bring to bear on the teaming supporters the flair of Diaspora 'accent'.I think the usual and the same faces seen on the NPP platform are enough.

Finally, I think the proposed amendment to the NPP constitution is taking a different dimension, one only hope that the National Executives do accept proposals that will stand the test of time.Proposal such as the one Mr.Stephen Ntim(that is what has been made public)has tabled on the need to have Deputies to the various National position is brilliant.His argument that those Deputies should be appointed rather than through elections has merit, because 'a Deputy by appointment will surely reduce any conflict between the substantive officer and his/her Deputy.Again, the enlargement of the electoral college, why can't the NPP conduct the elections of National Executives and Flag bearer on a regional style?Where each region will conduct it's own election then the final results declare at a conference/congress.I must crucially also entreat the National and Regional Executives for once to disband the ancient thinking of favouring a particular individual during primaries .Please let the people on the ground and the law have it's say in every dealings of the party.The frequent speculation where the rules are bent in favour of another candidate or person will always trigger an unnecessary disturbances.Frankly speaking, such a notion that we want a particular person to be in parliament or in an Executive position is unwise.Let the people chose whoever they want to represent them.Perceived favouratism during primaries have brought in it's wake this unfortunate word 'factionalism'.

Let me remind all members of the NPP that the NDC will definitely go the extra miles than they did during their previous 20 years to cripple the party's effort in the re-building process and the NPP comeback in 2012.The NDC has the wo/men who have the strength to do the dirty work, and the NPP must remain united and forget about the past and dislodge the NDC from power.In spite of the NPP government errors, it is certainly the best party for Ghana's developmental match than the NDC.I have repeatedly stated in my previous article that until the NDC reforms itself from the machiavellian and military posturing, Ghanaians will regret voting for the NDC.Time will surely vindicate my stand.

LONG LIVE NPP
LONG LIVE GHANA.

BY: MARTIN KWANING