Stop blaming each other for your defeat - CenProG to NDC

The Centre for Progressive Governance (CenProG) has cautioned members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to quit blaming each other for the party’s failure to win the 2016 election or risk rendering their base ineffective for election 2020.

Since the defeat of the NDC in last year’s polls, several members of the party have been accusing each other of being the cause of the NDC’s electoral misfortunes.

The National Organiser of the party, Kofi Adams, who was campaign coordinator for the campaign, has been accused of hoarding cash and other logistics meant for campaigning at the grassroots.

He has denied the allegation and described the decision of some stalwarts of the party to openly criticise the actions of the party and some persons within its ranks as a reflection of their inexperience and immaturity.

Victor Smith, the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for Abuakwa North in the 2016 polls, has also been accused of squandering monies meant for campaign activities in the constituency ahead of the 2016 elections by Alhaji Dan Baba, a leading member of the NDC in that constituency.

Others have blamed the party’s failures on the “incompetence” of former President John Mahama, who was flag bearer of the party in the last elections, and the arrogance of some of his appointees.

Further, Kpone Katamanso MP Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo has said members of the erstwhile Mahama government did not treasure the political power the party had, hence their failure to work hard enough to win the 2016 elections.

But CenProG, in a statement, said it was “shocked” some stalwarts of the party had resorted to blame games when a committee had been set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the party’s loss and make recommendations to that effect.

CenproG has, therefore, urged the NDC to remain united and collectively accept the blame for their loss in the 2016 elections failing which “the NDC has no chance whatsoever in any future elections”.

Below is the full statement:

CENTRE FOR PROGRESSIVE GOVERNANCE (CenProG)

NDC STALWARTS PUSHING THE PARTY INTO POLITICAL OBLIVION

The Centre for Progressive Governance (CenProG) has followed with keen interest the recent back and forth within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the largest opposition party in Ghana and as such supposed to act as a Government-in-waiting.

In the aftermath of a gargantuan election loss, the NDC rightly set up a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the loss and make recommendations to that effect. Many political pundits hailed the move since the committee was not to be at the whims of a privileged few but open to all members of the party.

CenProG is therefore taken aback that some party stalwarts who ought to know better are running to the media to air their grievances instead of facing the committee set up for same. This unwarranted move if not checked could plunge the NDC into political oblivion and render their base ineffective for 2020.

Leading members of the NDC have been proffering varied reasons for their party's loss and some in their attempt to absolve themselves are rather muddying the waters by trying to incite their supporters against HE John Mahama. This move is highly counterproductive since the former President seems to wield a lot of influence amongst the support base of the party.

CenProG believes that until the NDC stops the blame games and collectively accept the blame for their abysmal performance in the 2012 elections, the NDC has no chance whatsoever in any future elections.

For now, the grassroots of the NDC remains resolute and undivided in the midst of the chaos at the top and so the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party needs to, as a matter of urgency, takes steps to halt this trend before it affects the base of the party. To this end, the NDC might have to take a cue from the ruling party, New Patriotic Party (NPP) as to how they dealt with a similar canker in the run up to the 2012 elections.

CenProG believes that the opposition has a role to play in order for the NPP government to render quality and accountable governance. The NDC therefore owes it to Ghanaians to stay united and not shirk their responsibilities in the name of fighting each other to stay relevant.

God bless our homeland Ghana and make it GREAT and STRONG.

Signed

Sawadogo Mahmoud Executive Secretary, CenProG

Mallam Yahya Mohammed Executive Director, CenProG