NPP Does not Hold the Copyright to Internal Challenges

Political Parties and Interpersonal Conflict

Beebe, Beebe, and Redmond (2011) posited that interpersonal conflict "is an expressed struggle between at least two interdependent people who perceive incompatible goals, scarce resources, or interference in the achievement of their goals" (p. 216 ).

Beebe et al. (2011) defined a family unit as being "made up of any number of people who live in relationship with one another over time in a common living space and are usually but not always, united by marriage and kingship" (p. 373).

Most family conflicts occur because we not only misunderstand the other family member, but we also fail to communicate effectively.

Types of Conflicts

1. Pseudo conflict : This occurs when we simply miss the meaning in a message. And unless we clear up the misunderstanding by asking for more information, a real conflict might ensue.

2. Simple conflict: This type of conflict stems from differences in ideas, definitions, perceptions, or goals. In other words, how, where, when, why, and who issues.

3. Ego Conflict: Conflict that involves personal attack on your partner. Pseudo Conflict or Simple Conflict can easily lapse into more vicious ego conflicts, and "as each person becomes more defensive about his or her position, the issues become more tangled" (p. 222).

Family conflict is therefore inevitable.

The unifying factor in a political party is the party's ideology. Interpersonal conflict in a political party is therefore inevitable because of the number of people involved and who meet or communicate with one another on matters of common interest. Political parties bring individuals and families together with the aim of achieving specific goals which include political power. It is therefore the management of the conflict which will result in healthy relationships. If we fail to communicate effectively, there will be unmanageable conflicts.

"The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akufo-Addo has discounted claims by political analysts that the current standoff among the leadership of the party could cost them in the 2016 general elections.

Though he conceded that the party is currently facing some challenges, Nana Addo said the party is solid at the grass root. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday, Nana Addo said "I see those challenges at the level of the national leadership; the steering committee and its members. You don't see any of that on the grounds fortunately from our party."

(Source: www.ghanaweb.com General News of Monday, 12 October 2015).

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a Party has had its share of internal challenges in the past, and is still going through challenges.

Here are a few of them:

1. Goosie Tannoh and the National Reform Party (NRP).

"It was founded in 1999 by a splinter group from the National Democratic Congress (NDC)."

(Source:http://self.gutenberg.org/articles/national_reform_party_)

2. Dr. Obed Asamoah and the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP).

"The formation of the Democratic Freedom Party was announced in February, 2006 by Dr. Obed Asamoah, former chairman of the National Democratic Congress.This follows a split between a Rawlings faction and an Asamoah faction within the NDC." (Source: Wikipedia)

3. Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and the National Democratic Party (NDP).

"The NDP was announced on 6 July 2012 by its Interim General Secretary, Dr Manboah Rockson, and was said to be born of dissatisfaction with the NDC, which had often been personified by the Rawlingses and their supporters." (Source: Wikipedia)

4. Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and Kofi Adams.

"Asiedu Nketia has lost respect in NDC - Kofi Adams"

Aspiring National Organizer of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the party's General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia has lost respect in the NDC.

Kofi Adams stated that the party's scribe who hitherto was seen as a rallying point in the party has lost "a lot of respect from many people in the NDC" after threatening to leave the party if his preferred candidates are not retained in office."

(Source: https://www.modernghana.com/news/586005/1/asiedu-nketia-has-lost-respect-in-ndc-kofi-adams.html) 11 December, 2014.

5. Kofi Adams and Woyome

Kofi Adams is Togolese

" Regarding Kofi Adams, Mr. Woyome mentioned that his real name is Kofi Adamu and that 'Adamu' was the original name given him (Kofi Adams).

He explained that Kofi Adams is part of the first generation of Kotokoli immigrants who came to settle in Kadjebi in the Volta Region from Togo."

"Source: http://www.modernghana.com/news/335647/1/kofi-adams-is-togolese.html" 21 June, 2011

6. JJ Rawlings and Late President Atta Mills' family.

"Rawlings Not Wanted At Atta Mills' 3rd Anniversary Events - Cadman Mills"

(Source: http://elections.peacefmonline.com/pages/politics/201505/242773.php)

7. Politics of Saturday, 1 August 2015

"Pressure group Movement for Joint Action (MJA) has condemned recent scuffle that ensued at the residency of the Eastern Regional Minister between supporters of the NDC and the DCE for Atiwa during a meeting." (Source: Brytfmonline.com)

8. NDC Youth Lock Up Party Office at Tarkwa Nsuaem Constituency in the Western Region (Source: Adom News 5 August, 2015)

9. All NDC Constituency offices in the Eastern Region shut down.

(Source: www.myjoyonline.com/politics/2015/August-8th/all-ndc-constituency-offices-in-eastern-region-shutdown.php).

10. Irate NDC youth vandalize party office in Damango

(Source: Starrfmonline.com General News of Wednesday, 2 September 2015)

11. Amenfi East NDC youth lock up party office

(Source: Graphic.com.gh General News of Friday, 4 September 2015)

12. "If We Were In Revolution Days, A "Thief" Like Aseidu Nketiah Would Have Been Shot Dead" George Boateng.

(Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/ email:chris@peacefmonline.com 4 September, 2015).

13. Irate Youth shut down Tema West NDC Office

(Source: Starrfmonline.com General News of Wednesday, 9 September 2015)

The list above constitutes a fraction of the internal challenges the NDC is going through, but the Party has not disintegrated. In fact President Mahama says " the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is the most united political party in Ghana".

(Source: Starrfmonline.com General News of Tuesday, 8 September 2015).

Now tell me, which of the two Parties (NPP and NDC) is in turmoil. And please do not give me the "two wrongs don't make one right" cliché.

Kwadwo Tufuor is a member of the US National Communication Association Honor Society and the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC).

Reference

Beebe, S.A., Beebe, S.J., & Redmond, M.V., Interpersonal communication: Relating to others. New York, NY: Pearson Education, 2011. 408pp.