General News of Saturday, 14 April 2007

Source: GNA

Time to show dedication to NPP's cause - Crabbe

Accra, April 14, GNA - The Greater Regional Secretariat of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Saturday called for renewed dedication of membership of the party to ensure electoral victory in Elections 2008.

"Members are enjoined by the NPP Constitution to protect and promote the good name of the Party; protect the unity of the Party; be loyal and truthful to the Party; abide by, and publicly uphold, the decisions of the Party," Mr. Sammy Crabbe NPP the Regional Chairman told the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Accra.

Speaking on the recent impasse between some Members of Parliament and their Constituency Executives, Mr Crabbe noted that, this is the time for true Danquah-Busia adherents to stand up and demonstrate their loyalty to the party and not to seek personal interests.

He said the NPP Constitution abhors misconduct of members irrespective of the individual's social or political standing, 93we must all respect our elected officers."

He said violent, dangerous or intimidatory conduct against another member; willful causing damage to party property; breach of the duty to uphold publicity party policy; creation of discord or factionalism within the party; causing defection to another party are inimical within the NPP tradition and advised members to desist from such acts. Members are rather entreated to participate fully in the activities of the party and ensure that the local organs work effectively and accountably.

He said a member may be expelled from the party on grounds of misconduct in accordance with the provisions of the party's Constitution, he therefore cautioned members who are sowing seeds of misconduct of the consequences of their action.

Mr. Crabbe explained that the party's constitution enjoins the party to be organized at the basic unit of the Constituency, that is the Polling Station area.

Each constituency shall have a Constituency Executive Committee, which shall consist of; the Constituency Chairperson, 1st Vice Chairperson, 2nd Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Organizer, Women Organizer, Youth Organizer and sitting Parliamentarian or Parliamentary Candidate for the Constituency which ever is tenable.

He noted that, with the exception of the Financial Secretary, all other Constituency Officers shall be elected at a Constituency Annual Delegates Conference supervised by a person appointed by the Regional Executive Committee.

The Greater Accra Regional Chairman urged all party faithful to follow due process to address all NPP family grievances instead of resorting to unconventional and orthodox means to remove Constituency Officers. 14 April 07