General News of Thursday, 22 May 2003

Source:  

NPP to revise party's constitution

The National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Lord Commey, has said the party's constitution was to be reviewed to reflect the current realities in the country.

He said having been in opposition for about 30 years and now in governance, the constitution of the party had to factor in the roles of functionaries in government to ensure that the administration worked to implement the party's manifesto.

Mr Commey was addressing party executives of the 108 polling stations in the Asuogyaman constituency in the Eastern Region as part of a seven-day tour of the region.

He told them that since the party had no Member of Parliament from the constituency it was incumbent on them to work hard to secure the seat next year, and assured them of the fullest support from the leadership of the party.

Mr Commey told party members to consider themselves as shareholders who have a collective stake in the growth and fortunes of the party.

He asked them to eschew infighting and selfish tendencies and cautioned that: "the only party which can defeat the NPP is the NPP members."

The National Organiser reminded them that the 2004 elections would be crucial for the party in its effort to remain in government, so all should sink their personal interests and prove to the electorate that the party was capable of delivering the goods.

The General Secretary of the NPP, Mr Dan Botwe, reminded the executives that their units formed the power base of the party.

Their activities and utterances, therefore, would reflect on the fortunes of the party and government.

He warned that the leadership would not countenance any person whose personal pursuits would negatively affect the party's principles and progress.

"The Kufuor administration has proved to be capable of the task before the nation and nobody will be allowed to divert its focus."

Mr Botwe said the party had a solid tradition which all members should defend and promote and cautioned them against "the abuse of incumbency by the NDC which we condemned".

The District Chief Executive for Asuogyaman, Dr Godfred Kofi Siaw, briefed the meeting on development projects already undertaken and on-going ones such sectors as education, water, roads and electrification.

The Eastern Regional Chairman of the party, Nana Adi Ankama, stressed the need for discipline among party members saying: "our tradition shuns indiscipline that is why we were able to stay in opposition for so long and came to power".