Editorial: NPP Race Boys Separated From Men

The much awaited NPP polls to elect the flagbearer for the 2012 general

elections have ended peaceful, giving meaning to the country’s growing

democratic dispensation .The event was characterized by insults, intimidation

and violence especially between supporters of Nana Addo and Alan Kyeremanteng

who accused each other of attempting to rig the elections. In all these, the

winner’s margin of votes has left no doubt on his political strength in the

party in spite of attempts by some individuals in the party to rubbish his years

of suffering and sacrifice to build and sustain the gains of the founding

fathers of the UP tradition.

Political analysts believe apart from the founding fathers of the NPP like J.B

Danquah and Dombo, Nana Akuffo Addo has been the most popular person in the

party since the inception of the fourth republican constitution .The massive

endorsement of Nana by the delegates cumulating in 78.8% votes cast clearly

sends signals to his NPP Gurus who thought they could deny him of his rightful

and legitimate position in the party.

This result is considered to be the true reflection of candidates’ strengthen

especially with the expansion of the electoral college, the absence of political

influence from former President Kufuor through his political appointees and

unlimited resources backing Alan Kyeremanteng during the 2008 primaries .

Alan’s poor performance came as no surprise to observers who have always had a

firm belief that Alan’s strength and performance during the 2008 primaries was

artificial and exaggerated.

These perceived hidden factors behind Alan greatly propelled him into the lime

light which posed a challenge to his political opponent Nana Addo affecting his

performance during the 2008 primaries and not being able to obtain the 50% plus

one votes needed.

NPP delegates gave meaning to the word of the Good Book which entreats us to

wait until it is harvest time by voting massively for Nana Addo to separate the

Men from the Boys.Alan’s poor performance is an indictment on kufuor’s

administration

The paradigm shift in the voting process, which offered more delegates the

opportunity to vote to elect a leader who is popular, can also help to reduce

the influence of money in deciding who leads the party.