When a perception is held……..is it that people say it for the pleasure of it, or it is a true reflection of what they say?
Once again, a party that is in the lens that is the New Patriotic Party (NPP). This great party has its origin from the UP tradition, with its founders as Dr. J. B. Danquah, Dr. K. A. Busia, Naa S. D. Dombo, Naa Abayifaa Karbo, Jato Kaleo, B. K. Adama, just to mention but few. These erstwhile political stalwarts of the UP tradition represented both the southern and northern divides. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) was also built on the principles and ideologies of the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition. All these gallant and brave men were dying for the development of mother Ghana. Yet it is common to hear people say that, The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is an Akan Party. ……………..
The decisive and emphatic victory in this maiden and historic expanded electoral college of The New Patriotic Party (NPP) by Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo is a clear indication that the internal and external democratic structures of The New Patriotic Party (NPP) are firm and solid. I wish to express my heart-felt gratitude to all the five aspirants, Nation Council, National Executive Committee, delegates, members and sympathizers of our great party, for conducting themselves in a way that depicts the rich democratic value and ideals laid down by our founders. The excitement of this great feat is yet to settle but there is work to accomplish and already, there are vigorous lobbies from all corners for the vacant role of running-mate (vice presidential candidate) to be filled. Some credible and equally competent names are flying here and there with some interest groups working secretly to promote some particular personalities for the vacant role.
Any party member has a right to aspire to the office. However, we the masses equally have an obligation to question whether or not such an aspiration serves the best interest of the people and the country at large. It against this background that, I write to add my voice to the numerous calls in the search of a viable running-mate for Nana Akuffo-Addo. I want to suggest the need for Nana Akuffo-Addo and the party’s hierarchy to choose Hon. Ambrose P. Dery, the MP for Lawra/Nandom constituency, who also doubles as the Deputy Minority leader in parliament to the high office of the vice presidential candidate of The New Patriotic Party (NPP)for the 2012 election.
The selection of a running-mate is perhaps the most important decision a presidential candidate will ever make because, if elected, the running-mate who becomes the vice president must be ready to step in as president when necessary. In fact, Article 60(6) of the constitution of Ghana (1992) specifically provides that if in the event of a force majeure; such as death, resignation or removal from office of the president, the vice president shall immediately assume office as president for the remainder of the presidents’ term. To this end, Hon. Ambrose P. Dery has the party and national credentials to potentially act as president of the Republic of Ghana. And here is why:
To ensure regional balance. The UP-NPP tradition really needs a regional balance to erase the erroneous impression that it is an Akan party, and also demonstrate that it is truly a national party. This can only be done by putting a credible Northerner of proven track record and of unquestionable integrity on the ticket with Nana Akuffo-Addo. In the search of regional balance however, many names would have come up for consideration as candidates for The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) vice presidential slot. That not withstanding, if the elephant family really wants to improve its electoral fortunes in the north and beyond, Hon. Ambrose Dery is the only person who can take us to this promise land.He has the numbers beyond his constituency behind him. Modern politics is all about numbers. Therefore, any party that intends to win the 2012 elections outright or in such margins as to make it call the shots in determining a coalition must aim to reach out beyond their traditional “strong Holds” and win voters not only from the floating voters, but from the backwards of their opponents as well. And Hon. Ambrose Dery has proven beyond the proverbial shadow of a doubt that he can improve the electoral fortunes of The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in 2012.Hon. Ambrose P. Dery is a house-hold name across the country. Anyone can argue that the Upper West Region where he comes from is the tiniest of the Northern regions and Ghana in terms of population size, and therefore incapable of affecting the electoral fortunes of any party. According to the 2000 population and housing census, 49.8% of Ghanaians who traced their ethnic origins to the Upper West Region actually lived outside the region. It must also be put on record that a substantial size of the population of the Brong Ahafo and Upper East regions are made up of migrants from the Upper West Region. And who can say this has no bearing on national elections.He understands that politics is for development. Anybody that new Wa or better still the Upper West Region before 2005 when Hon. Ambrose Dery took over as Regional Minister would readily appreciate the massive development that took place. Talk about the extension of road networks and the construction of new roads, the construction of the Jubilee Park, street lighting projects, etc. Hon. Ambrose P. Dery believed timed was an imperative resource in development, and as a result was time conscious. Some even referred to his punctuality as “Ambrose time”. In short, he is development-oriented and always seeking the general well-being of the masses.He has the ability to marshal votes. In the game of politics, prior record of winning elections is relevant……..is intuitive to the very fundamentals of life-learning from past experiences. Comparing the votes The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) received in the Lawra/Nandom constituency from the 2000 elections to the 2008 elections proves the worth of Hon. Ambrose P. Dery.
PRESIDENTIAL
YEAR
CANDIDATE
VOTES
PERCENTAGE
2000
John Agyekum Kuffour John Atta Mills
3,109 22,207
10.30% 73.70%
2004
John Agyekum Kuffour John Atta Mills
9,474 20,162
30.50% 65.00%
2008
Nana Akuffo-Addo John Atta Mills
12,948 15,830
42.00% 53.00%
PARLIAMENTARY
YEAR
CANDIDATE
VOTES
PERCENTAGE
2000
Stephen Yir-Eru Engmen Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor
3,487 22,347
11.60% 74.40%
2004
Ambrose P. Dery Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor
10,549 19,306
33.90% 62.00%
2008
Ambrose P. Dery Dr. Benjamin Kumbuor
16,556 15,016
50.76% 46.04%
With the above illustration, one would clearly agree with me that, Hon. Ambrose P. Dery have demonstrated in all ways, shape or form of his ability to marshal for the party if given the role as the vice presidential candidate for the NPP come 2012.
As was said by Nana Akuffo-Addo at the recent dinner with party functionaries at his residence; “our party calls all of us to duty and we have a huge responsibility on our hands to ensure that the party wins power in 2012”. I believe the two personalities (Nana and Ambrose) would clench a resounding electoral victory for the party in 2012. For the loss of power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2008 election should be enough lessons for the party’s functionaries to put the house in order. For history put issues in their true perspective and add substance to events that happen under our nose but defy interpretation. The party has reached a stage where it needs strong leadership at the top to put in the right structures to create the enabling environment needed to wrest power from the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) come 2012. I rest my case here. God bless Nana!!! God bless NPP!!! God bless Ghana!!! Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Signed
Anuwar-Sadat Amadu Nubanie
Wa Polytechnic-TESCON member
Email: salatvision@yahoo.com
Mobile: 0244-686204
020-7788989
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