NPP?USA Congress in Dallas, Texas

In a progress report to the Congress, this writer summed up the state of NPP

? USA as upbeat, positive, vibrant and strong. In essence, this summation

succinctly captured the mood of the Dallas Congress held on October 20,

2007.

On October 19, 2007 delegates from different states in continental USA,

Canada and Britain arrived in Dallas for the Congress. That evening the

host DFW chapter, in true spirit of Ghanaian hospitality organized welcome

reception at the Marriot Courtyard for the attending delegates. The festive

mood and the scene at the reception were like a pre Easter night at Obo in

the Kwahu area of Ghana. Friends from afar and NPP family in North America

and Europe were treated to an assortment of delicious Ghanaian cuisine in a

buffet style. After the dinner, delegates chatted late into the night. By

this time the delegates were made aware by Chairman Kofi Boateng that only

two, Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo and Hon. Felix Owusu Adjepong, out of the

seventeen presidential aspirants invited have committed to come for the

congress. Although the delegates were disappointed, the spirit of the

congress remained buoyant.

On October 20, 2007, registration to the congress started early at 7:30 am

with sumptuous breakfast to start the day. Mr. Charles Biney and his crew

methodically registered each delegate. The congress was formally opened

with prayers by Elder Asibey from California, followed by a beautiful

rendition of both the national anthems of Ghana and the USA by Ms. Helena

Rabbles. The DFW chapter chairman, Mr. Samuel Mensah welcomed the delegates

to Dallas and the State of Texas. He recounted the history of the young

chapter and the determined efforts made by the loyal members to host the

congress.

The overseas branches were recognized. Canada sent delegates from Toronto

and Montreal respectively. The chairman of NPP Britain and Ireland, Mr.

Hayford Ata Kruffi was in attendance with the General Secretary of his

branch. Each of the overseas branches gave inspiring solidarity messages.

Each of the twenty chapters that make up NPP-USA gave report of its

activities. A delegate from the Worcester Massachusetts chapter, a young

United States marine, and a veteran of both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars

expressed the determination of the youth to protect Ghana's democracy. Nana

Owusu Ansah representing Chicago announced that the Chicago chapter will

make donations to the International Desk on behalf of NPP-USA.

Six members of NPP ?USA who aspire to contest Parliamentary seats in their

areas in Ghana were introduced. They are Mr. Kwabena Manu (Pancho)

(Nsuta/Kwamang/Beposo), Mr. Benjamin Kwasi Afrifa (Sekyere West, Asante

Mampong), Mr. Francis Asenso Boakye (Bantama), Ms. Catherine Abelema Afeku

(Evalue Gwira, Nzema), Mr. Eric Fiifi-Ofori-Atta (Abuakwa South) and Mr.

Eugene Yaw Boakye Antwi (Subin).

At this point the arrival of Hon. Nana Ado Dankwa Akufo Addo was announced.

The congress hall erupted into cheers and shouts of Nana O, Nana O, as the

first NPP Presidential Aspirant made his triumphant entry to the DFW

congress 2007. Hon. Nana Akufo- addo was greeted with spontaneous euphoria

that was a mixture of boisterous defiance of daunting circumstances that

defines the spirit of Americanism; and a genuine appreciation for his

attendance and admiration for him. He entered the conference hall

surrounded by his close lieutenants, Charles Biney of DFW, Steve Mallory,

the cool, unflappable and able national organizer of Friends of Nana Akufo-

Addo (FONAA) in North America, Eric Fiifi Ofori Atta, the aspiring

Parliamentary candidate and others.

Hon. Nana Akuffo-Addo autographed some of the commemorative brochures for

the delegates. He spoke about his vision for Ghana, his leadership skills,

his commitment to the party and his desire to unify the country if selected

as the party's presidential candidate for 2008. Nana also answered

questions from the audience before he departed to Atlanta in the late

afternoon.

An aspirant who is fast becoming a rising political star to members of

NPP-USA is Hon. Felix Owusu Adjepong. Honoring an invitation to the

congress, just after his recent tour of the United States has endeared him

to the hearts of many people in NPP-USA. Hon. Felix Owusu Adjepong was

evidently pleasantly surprised by the rousing reception he received at the

congress. The shouts of Felix, Felix filled the hall as he entered the

congress hall with his entourage led by Nana Ata Mensah, his campaign

manager in the USA.

Hon. Adjepong took his seat and the skillful moderator of the morning

session, Mr. Rex Poku called upon the "Iron Lady" of NPP in DFW, Ms.

Christine McNair to introduce the Keynote speaker. This year's speaker is

one of the revered veterans of the Danquah/Busia/Dombo political tradition,

Mr. Akenten Appiah Menka. Ms. McNair's eloquent and spirited introduction of

Mr. Appiah Menka brought delegates to their feet to give him a prolonged

ovation. Mr. Appiah Menka's speech to the congress is food for thought and

strategies on how to win the 2008 elections. The veteran politician in his

speech stressed that "the survival and success of the nation more than ever

depend on the politics and the choices of the party and the nation between

December 2007 and December 2008".

In a speech sprinkled with poignant facts and aphorisms, Mr. Appiah Menka

laid emphasis on the realities in democratic pluralism and concluded on a

positive note that with a "marketable candidate and the superior track

record of our national achievements in the field of democratic multiparty

political governance, the rule of law, control of corruption, stability and

control of the microeconomic disturbances of the NDC inflation from 54% to

less than 10%, the NDC bank interest rate of 48% to under 20% and the cedi

rate of exchange which collapsed from C2,500 in March 2000 to C7,500 in

November 2000 of the NDC administration to now four years stability of

C9,200 under our government. The freedom of expression and the repeal of the

NDC Criminal Libel Law, the development of the local industry and the

establishment of the Export Development Fund, the EDIF, the Venture Capital,

and the micro loan schemes to help develop small size industries, the ECOWAS

Investment Fund. In Education the Capitation facilities and the school

feeding program are all made available by the NPP administration to promote

education in the country. The National Health Insurance Scheme, affordable

Housing programs for the low income. The incomparable International

respectability and finally the listening government which denounces "mo ka

koraa na me ye no more" of the NDC era should be enough to make us win the

2008 Presidential and parliamentary elections".

The agenda for this year's congress was hectic but substantive. After Mr.

Appiah Menka has mentally charged the delegates, there was a brief recess to

ponder over the old sage's words of wisdom. When the congress reconvened,

Attorney Agyenim Boateng moderated discussion on proposed changes to the

NPP-USA's by laws. The congress adopted the by laws with substantial

majority in favor. In the late afternoon, the delegates enjoyed a lively

and spirited panel discussion on the topic "Improving Democracy in NPP and

building constructive partnership between Ghanaians Living Abroad and Ghana"

moderated by Mr. Benjamin Akwasi Afrifa. One of the panelists, Mr. Charles

Amo Asante in a fiery and mater of fact manner brought it home to the

congress how people in Ghana and in the Party think of those of us in the

Diaspora. Dr. Afuah Sarkodie Mensah, a Harvard educated anthropologist,

and the only woman on the panel, was at her best when she traced the role of

women in politics from the time of the Pharos in ancient Egypt to the

present day. Mr. Kofi Bawuah who was emotionally charged as he recounted

his personal experience in the corridors of political power during his

sojourn in Ghana, cautioned that any aspirant who discounts NPP-USA does so

at his own risk. Lastly, Mr. Samuel Appiah gave a sober intellectual

analysis of the subject under discussion.

At the end of the panel discussion, the lone delegate from the land of

former President Obassanjo who could not hide his amusement, sat straight

up, took a deep breath, sighed and said "na waa for NPP ? USA", taking a

cue, the moderator moved for the congress to recess for the evening

session.

The evening program began as scheduled in the plush banquet hall in Marriot

hotel, Irving Texas. The event was destined to be great as Mr. Ben Newman,

poised to challenge the record set by Mr. Rex Poku in the morning took over

the mantle as the moderator. As Rapha's band assembled its instruments, Nana

Osei Owusu Asibey Bonsu, Asentefuohene of Dallas, and Nana Ama Afrah

Acheampomaa, Ohemaa, resplendent in rich kente, adorned with exquisite

ornaments walked majestically to the banquet hall to grace the occasion with

the rich cultural tradition of Ghana.

With the help of modern technology, and thanks to Ms. Catherine Abelema

Afeku, the aspiring Parliamentarian for Evalue Gwira; Hon. Oboshie

Sai-Cofie, Minister of Information and National Orientation charmed the

audience in the large banquet hall with her eloquence and beauty as she

presented the achievements of the NPP government on a giant screen in the

hall.

After the Minister's presentation, the NPP ? DFW chapter chairman, Mr.

Samuel Mensah delivered his speech. In his speech he advised the aspirants

to be civil to each other in their campaign.

Ms. Stella Green, the chairperson for the occasion held the audience spell

bound with her speech about the need for Ghanaian women to play active role

in politics.

Nana Taaka presented a proclamation on behalf of the Mayor of Irving, Texas,

where the congress was held.

The highest ranking party executive at the congress, the Ist Vice Chairman,

Ms. Agnes Okudzeto was introduced to the cheers of the audience. Mr. Peter

Mac Manu, Chairman of NPP in his infinite wisdom sent a high ranking party

executive, who is a mother figure, to represent the party at the congress.

Ms. Okudzeto in a motherly fashion delivered her well prepared speech so

effectively that assuaged the feelings of the delegates who were not happy

about the events that made it difficult for many of the aspirants to attend

the congress.

Hon. Felix Akwasi Owusu Adjepong had a perfect occasion after dinner to

present his campaign message. Captioned "Civil, Customary and Digital", Hon.

Adjepong explained his vision for Ghana, his plans to transform Ghana and

move her to middle income economy if he is selected to lead the party and

eventually the nation. Hon. Adjepong stated his qualifications, the

sacrifices he has made for the party, and said he is the one who can unite

the party. Consistent with his customary doctrine, Hon. Adjepong said he is

appealing to the kingmakers to give him the party's flag.

After a delicious dinner and the speeches, the audience was ready to put on

the dancing shoes. The Dallas based Rapha's band was also getting anxious to

play. The life band entertained the crowd till the wee hours of the

morning.

The Dallas Congress 2007 is undoubtedly one of the best NPP-USA congresses

ever held in North America as measured by the enthusiasm with which many

chapters are vying to host the next congress. NPP-USA, like Boxer, the

indefatigable work horse in George Orwell's Animal Farm, resolved to work

HARDER to ensure total victory for the party in 2008 because the alternative

is clearly not in the best interest of mother Ghana.