An Open Letter to NPP Polling Station Executives

Fellow delegate,

As you might be aware by now, winning political power in 2016 for our beloved NPP to a very large extent, depends on you. The right choice you would make at the upcoming NPP Congress will do the trick.

Of late, there has been too much noise about Akufo-Addo's popularity in the party in view of the massive endorsements that took place prior to the Super Delegates' Conference. However, little did we know that most of these delegates were given GHC2,000 (20 million old cedis) bribe and made to swear by the Holy Q'uran, Bible, and Antoa deity. I think we should show our gratitude to Bugri Naabu, the Northern Regional Chairman of the NPP for such revelation. This is how far Akufo-Addo has brought the NPP in its political journey.

In fact, if Nana Addo had such money to influence NPP delegates to win him the flag-beareship position, one is at a loss as to why our Polling Station Executives were not resourced to carry on with their duties. If, as a leader of your own party, you can't cater for the needs Polling Agents to protect the ballot, why do you blame them for your defeat? Why do you question another candidate's proposal to pay these Polling Agents and other executives every month?

Fellow delegate, please, never be intimidated to vote for Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, for he symbolises victory, hope, and prosperity. I am confident that under Alan's leadership, the Polling Station executives would see massive improvement in their lifestyles. As a delegate willing to work for the party, you deserve to be paid every month for your hard work.

Just have a look at the composition of those who voted at the Super Delegates' Conference. They are mostly aged and most of them have already made it in life in the cities. None of their kids is in school by now. They are all gainfully employed. Currently, the Members of Parliament (MPs) receive more than GHC7,200 per month, not forgetting their GHC50,000 rent allowances, and GHC2m ex-gratia. These MPs voted for Nana Addo because they have been promised ministerial appointments. The Regional and Constituency Chairmen also want to become Regional Ministers and M/DCEs. Most of them would be handed juicy contracts when we win power. The Founding Members are interested in being appointed as Members of Council of State and Board Chairpersons.

But, take a minute's rest and ask yourself. Are you gainfully unemployed in your village? Do you receive ex-gratia or salary every month? Remember, when Nana Akufo-Addo declared "All die be die", you were the one who took the machete, sticks, cutlasses etc to protect the ballot. His daughters and wife were at home drinking cups of tea and watching television. But, for almost two years after the 2012 elections, your allowances are still in arrears. Whilst the NDC Polling Agents were given breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the Election Day, you were not even given a sachet of water.

However, as soon as Nana Addo lost to Mahama, you were the first people to blamed for his defeat before the blames were handed over to Kufuor, Alan, Afari Gyan, Mahama, Atuguba, and later, the entire Supreme Court Judges. Nana Addo and and his supporters said most of you could neither read nor write. Therefore, your illiteracy contributed immensely to the NDC's rigging mechanisation. This is the reason why Nana Addo went to the Supreme Court, but after 1 year, the same Akufo-Addo says elections are won at the Polling Stations, but not the courtroom. What a hypocrisy!

Today, Akufo-Addo and his men are trying their best to sideline Polling Station Executives in the decision-making process in the NPP. He got 80% of the votes cast at the Super Delegates' Conference and his supporters say he should be allowed to go unopposed so that, there will be no voting at the Congress, but popular acclamation. Could you be fooled for the third time?

I hope as a delegate, you have your own conscience and conviction. If, after leading the NPP for 6 years, Akufo-Addo could not pay Polling Station Executives, and feed them on Election Day in 2012, why should he be taken serious when he asks for your mandate for the third consecutive time? Folks, let's resist this unfairness by voting massively for Alan Cash. At least, it is only fair to give Alan Kyerematen, a chance this time around to lead the NPP. This will enable every single member of the party to assess him properly.

For those who are branding Alan as selfish for daring to contest against Nana Addo, Alan has not committed any crime. He only wants an opportunity to win power for party. Alan, as a peace maker, selfless individual, patriot, and loyalist, stepped down in 2007 for Nana Addo to contest the 2008 elections, but Nana lost to Professor Mills of the NDC. In 2010 primaries, the delegates again rejected Alan and sent Nana Addo to the 2012 elections. Here too, the most popular, marketed, and experienced politician of our time lost to John Mahama of the NDC. His "Victory 2008", "Victory 2012" vanished into thin air.

I believe it is only appropriate to try new hands, Nana Addo once said; "I call on members of the party to embrace change in leadership of the party. Such changes are far from harming the fortunes of the party. Change improves the chances of political parties as a new face eventually means new ideas, new methods and new strategies". Having kept the opposition for 8 years, no one needs to say that, it's Alan's turn. Let's vote massively for Alan Kyerematen at the next Congress to tell our fathers and grand-fathers who voted at the Super Delegates Conference that, we, the youth of the NPP, need political power and job security, but not necessarily political appointments.

Never allow Nana Addo to 'fool' you for the third consecutive time.

God bless Ghana! God bless the NPP!! God bless Kufuor!!!

Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang, Asante Bekwai-Asakyiri. Email: katakyienpp@yahoo.co.uk

Mobile: 0547851100 : 0264931361 : 0202471070

"Vision, coupled with persistency, results in true success"