Reject Top-Bottom Approach

We are concerned about the current issues bothering on the direction and

organization of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) towards the 2016 general

elections. Since NPP is an important stakeholder in the fourth republican

dispensation, its internal organization and management is of paramount

importance to Ghanaians and indeed the world at large. We the members of

the *DOMBO ADVOCACY FORUM*,* *an affiliate of the New Patriotic Party have

followed with keen interest the discourse on the direction of the party

just after the election petition and wish to make our voices heard by all

and sundry.

· We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the entire

membership of National Executive Committee (NEC) on the outcome of their

Thursday 3rd October 2013 meeting at the National Headquarters of the

party. In fact, we were all worried with the heated debates prior to the

meeting especially on a circulated proposal that sought to defeat the

very principles and values our great tradition hindered on. We acknowledge

the press release by the Deputy General Secretary, Mr. Abdulai Fuhlanda,

which was very explicit on the dismissal of some of the propositions

outlined in the said proposal; thus *the imposition of the sitting Members

of Parliament on constituencies and the extension of the mandate of the

current executives*, which are clearly against some provisions in the

party’s Constitution as amended in 2009.

· We have also heard and read from top party officers about

proposals to introduce a *Top-Down* approach in the election of party

officers, where we shall elect the flag bearer before the other officers of

the party. The Dombo Advocacy Forum wishes to plead with the National

Executive Committee (NEC) to reject such a proposal as it seeks to build

the party around individuals rather than the collective principles and

values established since 1947. This move is alien to the rank and file of

the party and will breed division. It has the potential of deepening

factionalism in the party and preventing party loyalists from coming on

board future campaigns.

· We are calling on our leadership to come out with guidelines for

the election of leaders from the polling station to the National level.

Clearly stipulated rules of engagement will eliminate bickering and

minimize factionalism in the party. We must promote an environment where

losers will be ready to come on board any campaign train.

· We take this opportunity to call on all blue party members to

cultivate the principle of sacrifice, as one of our founding Fathers *Simon

Diedong Dombo *a.k.a SD Dombo, exhibited during the formative stages of our

tradition where he willingly ceded power to *Dr. Kofi Busia* who was much

younger in parliament. We must win the 2016 general elections to restore

hope to the Ghanaian and improve their economic conditions as witnessed

during the Busia and Kufour era. This can only be achieved when party

faithfuls are prepared to sacrifice their personal interest for the

collective good of our party and country. Let’s all remain calm and

contribute to the organization of the party now from polling stations,

constituencies, regional and national. Dissenting views must be welcomed

and respected, and we call on the youth of our party to protect the

interest and image of our great party.

*NPP Shall Live! *

*God bless us all! *

*Signed by:*

*Amos Abu Daare Chairman

0244-903570*

*Prince Aminu Saana Press & Publicity Secretary

0243-423247*

*Alhassan Sulemana Operations Director

0268-533381*