Factionalism within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has become a growing concern, as highlighted by former President John Agyekum Kufuor.
In an interview with Accra-based TV3, Kufuor expressed his worries about the deep-seated factionalism that he has observed within the party.
He emphasized the need for the NPP to carefully assess its activities and stressed the importance of a strong commitment and dedication within the party.
Mr Kufuor mentioned that the sense of commitment he once felt within the NPP seems to have diminished over time.
He stressed the importance of practising proper democracy and inclusivity, instead of emphasizing factions within the party. According to Kufuor, focusing on factions at the constituency or national level leads to division and hinders cooperation.
“The way I feel it, I don’t sense the same strong commitment. I have likened commitment to almost a religion. I don’t sense that now. We are talking proper democracy, an inclusive one, you wouldn’t emphasize factions,” Mr Kufuor stated.
Kufuor’s remarks come at a time when the NPP is dealing with the resignation of a prominent member and former presidential aspirant, Alan Kyerematen.
However, John Boadu, the former General Secretary of the NPP, urged party members to remain focused and united despite Kyerematen’s departure. Boadu acknowledged his disagreement with the reasons given by Kyerematen but called for acceptance and respect of his decision.
The NPP will need to address the issue of factionalism and take into account the concerns raised by Kufuor and others in order to maintain party unity and work towards its objectives as the ruling party in Ghana.
Source: Daily Guide
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Factionalism has always existed before and after Kufuor's time, and it's a healthy thing in dispensation of real democratic principles. Traditionally, we have liberal, extremist, conservative, left, and right-wing groups in multi-party political groupings, and that is why strategizing and building consensus are critical. I think Alan did a little and neglected the developing dynamics in terms of expressing his strong beliefs, traditions, and policies that underpin his political leadership within the party. He should have made a strong case for his portfolio as trade minister and the industrialization agenda as the way to transform the colonial-based economy of Guggisberg, but he failed to build that base in the party. Hence, it appears that he formed his faction very late, mostly comprising those who had an issue with the government he was part of. And if his presidential ambition was so critical to him, like the way he resigned, then I think he should have resigned as trade minister in the second term and concentrated much more on his presidential ambition. Indeed, if I were to advise Alan based on his merit, I would have told him to opt for vice president by joining forces with whoever wins the presidential flagbearer race. Then, by then, the flagship policies would have matured, and setting a 16-year term record would have been very eminent.
Ex-President Kufour is seen sternly warning delegates against choosing a leader who "is always full of tension and fighting and all sort of things; we must have to be careful about. The party must stay together." "We must look for somebody who will continue to hold the party together. We must not go in for anybody who will divide us. Because we by ourselves alone cannot get all the votes we need. All pro-NPP people will vote but then I don't think we will make the 50 plus 1 vote to win at one-touch. This is why we need to stay together so that we will be attractive to draw other people to join to go beyond the absolute majority." - the year was 2007. Prophecy fulfilled. NPP is disunited
NPP will not be a strong force anymore if care is not taken. You people blame Alan, but he was looking for a level playing field if the party leaders have their own candidate why waste people's time and money? Most people enter into politics to aspire to a higher office so when the time comes for elections let's be fair and transparent and stop the nnonsense going on. Wontumi has become a thin God in the party and nobody is prepared to talk to him. That ***barred word*** is taking the party to opposition if you people don't know. Nana Addo is really a bad leader and I regret voting for him. Instead of coming to talk to calm things down, he is behind what is going on now because he has succeeded in getting rid of his enemies in the party. Your Akyem Mafia alone can hold the party together.