NPP Rebels Face Expulsion

Koforidua, Dec. 24, GNA - The Genera-Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Mr Dan Botwe, has directed that any constituency executive who openly worked against the party in the just-ended elections should be summarily dismissed from the party.
"All members who stood as independent parliamentary candidates and constituency executives who acted as party agents or proposed the nomination forms for such candidates who lost the primaries are automatically dismissed from the party", he announced.
Mr Dan Botwe who said this at Koforidua on Thursday, during a post-election meeting with the party's MPs-elect, regional and constituency executives, emphasized that discipline in the party would be ensured at all times "even if it meant losing of members." He said the party would ensure that sitting MPs who went independent and had been dismissed, would not be allowed to sit with NPP MPs.
Speaking on the issue of membership, the General-Secretary urged all the constituencies in the region to build up a proper membership list to be able to assess the strength of the party but cautioned against the rush to admit applicants without scrutinizing them. "Having membership is good, but it should go to only people who have voluntarily come out to be a member of the NPP and not just anyone should be embraced in to the party".
Mr Botwe indicated that the party had started analysing all polling stations results and would start working on where they did not farewell to ensure victory in 2008.
He expressed gratitude of the party to the Eastern Regional Executives and the people for the massive support and votes given the party in the elections, saying, "this shows that you of the region have worked as a team to push the party ahead."
Mr Botwe expressed satisfaction that the NPP was able to retain all the parliamentary seats it won in the 2000 elections and was able to capture two of the targeted seats at Asuogyaman and Fanteakwa, adding that "I feel proud that my home region had supported the party to victory."
He called on all Ghanaians to bury their differences and help the government in its second term to steer the affairs of the nation to a level that every Ghanaian would feel a sense of belonging in the country.
Mr Botwe said the NPP was only interested in developing Ghana and to build a legacy as a party and assured that, irrespective of whether the NPP was voted for or not, development would be spread to all parts of the country.
He commended all the parliamentary contestants for their hard work and sacrifices, especially those who lost, and urged them not to relent in their efforts because the party had recognized their contributions.