Lecturer calls for amendment of NPP Constitution

Mr. J. K Manu, a lecturer in law at the Faculty of Social Studies of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has called for the amendment of the provision in the NPP constitution, which states that the party's presidential candidate should be elected 24 months before general elections, at a congress.

He suggested that the exercise should take place during an election year as pertains in the United States of America. Addressing a press conference in Kumasi on Friday on the issue, Mr. Manu said though it served a purpose in 1998, when the party needed to elect its presidential candidate since it was in opposition, the provision had now outlived its usefulness.

He noted that there could be a conflict of interest between the President and any minister of state or government official who might decide to enter the presidential race. Mr. Manu expressed fear that such a development could neutralise the powers of the incumbent President.

He said the NPP was going through "a political test" and whether or not it would continue to win political power in future would depend on its performance. Mr. Manu said if the government failed to perform, no personality could help the party to win elections even if he was elected three years ahead of the time. He said the NPP won the last general elections because the NDC had failed the nation.

Mr. Manu said the party should build a strong political structure and image rather than relying on personalities and advised presidential aspirants to seek the development of the party, despite their ambitions.