At long last, un-eradicated peace has come to NPP-Italy as the much awaited delegates’ congress to elect new executives came off in wheel wind fashion on Saturday, the 8th of February 2014 at Via Del Lancilotto No. 5 Modena - Italy, amidst pomp and pageantry.

The elections were guided by an axiomatic electoral rules and regulations adopted and approved by the General Assembly of NPP-Italy at Castelfranco-Veneto on the 21st of January 2014.

The program under the theme: “UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL” started precisely 10:00 am with a prayer after which all who were contesting for executive positions were introduced to all who had come to participate in the event. A minute silence was observed for the late Dr. J B Danquah followed by Ghana national anthem. This was followed by all contestants taking turns to roll out their manifestos. The energy and enthusiasm with which members showed up were encouraging. On behalf of all chapter chairmen, Mr. George Annor delivered the welcome address. He welcomed members to Modena - the City of Italian ceramics, and reiterated his commitment to work assiduously with the electoral commission to make the congress a success. The next to take the podium was the chairman of the electoral commission-Mr. Alexander Annan who spoke on “the need for free and fair elections”.

Mr. Stevens Cobbina Osei Akoto, the then General Secretary of the branch took the stage to highlight some of the activities and achievement of NPP-ITALY, whilst the director of international affairs, Mr. Charles Owiredu highlighted some of the activities and achievement of the branch in Ghana. In his address, he encouraged members not to be embarrassed of the litigation among contestants in NPP-Ghana. He commended NPP-Italy for being the 15th diaspora branch to conduct elections. As he reminded members of the next NPP international conference to be held in Italy, he advised delegates to choose leaders who can deliver and also have respect for the constitution of NPP.

In his key note address, the guest speaker, Dr. Winfred Nii Okai Hammond - former deputy Agriculture Minister under President Kuffour's administration, now Senior Entomologist at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at Rome-Italy, delivered a very sterling and enchanting speech in three languages. Speaking on “Peace and Unity”, he espoused how Ghanaians are yearning to see NPP back to power come 2016. He said the high cost of leaving as a result of the depreciation of the cedi, the poor management of the economy speaks more for NPP. In Ga, he said the party has been purported to have been Akan due to the election trend but it is not. He explained where the party first started - Ashiedu keteke now Odododiodio. He reiterated the need to embrace all with peace and unity to recapture power from Mahama-led pNDC government.

Other dignitaries that also graced the occasion were Minister Peter Siaw Mensah of Christian Faith Ministries-Vicenza, Palermo Queen-mother Nana Akuamoah Boateng, NPP-Italy Queen-mother Mary Oforiwaa and Como Queen-mother Nana Pomaa.

At the end of it all, Mr. Owusu Boateng the then first vice of the immediate past administration won overwhelmingly with 64 out of a total 108 votes casted representing 59.3 % whilst Mr. Yaw Baafi and Mr. Goerge Annor had 30 votes representing 27.7% and 14 votes representing 13% respectively.

What was unique about this segment of the program was the pledge made by all the three contestants for the chairmanship position that they will lend their unflinching support to whoever emerges winner from their category considering the acrimony that had existed between them for over 5yrs.

The elections which lasted for two hours started after the electoral officials have rolled out their rules and regulations at exactly 1pm.

Counting was done in the presence of representatives of all the contestants who supervised the elections and certified that all the rules and regulations laid out by the EC to ensure free transparent and fair elections were adhered to after which the commissioner Mr. Annan Alexander declared the results and winners.

The electoral commissioner Mr. Annan Alexander who is trained in electoral matters and his team of electoral officers were lauded by all the contestants especially Mr. Baafi and Mr. Annor for organizing free, transparent and fair elections when they took turns to acknowledge defeats like true sportsmen and promised to support the elected executives with all their might to ensure that NPP recapture power back in 2016.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Mr.Owusu Boateng promised to work hand in hand with Mr. Baafi and Mr. Annor at all times and to engage all in decision making and promised to serve the party with humility at all times and to ensure that his term will end with NPP freed from political wilderness come 2016.

Mr. Owiredu who supervised the swearing in charged the newly elected executives to put the past behind them and work together as one people who shared the true ideals of the great NPP party and place NPP-Italy at the forefront of NPP on the diaspora.

On his part, Mr. Hammond advised the newly elected executives that, “the end of the elections must come with the end of acrimony that normally characterizes every contest and put all hands on deck to propel the party to reach a level where they can play a major role to support the party to win the 2016 elections in Ghana”.

The historic event which started with a prayer at 10:00am in the morning ended with a prayer at exactly 18:00 with all the participants both delegates, party faithful and well-wishers that thronged the auditorium very satisfied. All contestants accepted and agreed that, all tiny details on the pink sheets were dully adhered to and as such left the venue very satisfied.

Below are the results of the election.

CHAIRMAN votes percentage
Mr. George Annor 14 13 %
Mr.Yaw Baafi 30 27.7%
Mr. Owusu Boateng 64 59.3%

1st Vice Chairman
Mr. Adjei Ameyaw 67 63.2%
Mr. William O. Asante 39 36.8%

Secretary
Mr. Albert Obeng Yeboah unopposed

Organiser votes percentage
Mr. Victor T. Boaheneh 86 79.6%
Mr. Ansu A. Sekyere 22 20.4%

Women Organiser
Mrs. Janet Odame 41 37.6%
Mrs. Theresa Appiah 68 62.4%

Youth Organiser
Mr. Richard Addae unopposed

Per the NPP-Italy’s 2014 adopted electoral rules and regulations, the Treasurer shall be appointed and shall be full member of the Branch Executive Committee-BEC.

The Elephant shall return.

Albert Obeng Yeboah
General Secretary
NPP-ITALY.