Speech by NPP UK & Ireland Branch delivered at NPP Annual Delegates Conference at Koforidua

His Excellency President JA Kufuor, Madam First Lady, His Excellency the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Party Chairman Mac Manu, Honorable Ministers Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Members of Parliament, distinguished guests, Nananom, ladies and gentlemen all protocols observed: I bring you Happy New Year greetings from NPP UK and Ireland, and congratulations for holding the fort and carrying the torch here in Ghana. Let 2007 unite us all behind our party especially in our fervent determination to build our nation into a sustainable democracy, where individual freedoms are guaranteed and our collective responsibilities are fulfilled.

We in the UK & EIRE branch of our Party, have a strong sense of foreboding vis-à-vis the NPP Presidential Candidate contests in future, bearing in mind the financial inducements and the electoral college tapping by certain aspiring candidates in the last Parliamentary primaries to manipulate the democratic process, thereby, not only gaining an undue advantage but more ominously, contorting the political landscape in our party.

Judging from the self inflicted wounds in the selection of parliamentary candidates in 2004 and the concomitant effect on our party’s performance in elections 2004, one must concede that there are certain inherent limitations in our Party’s constitution and we are quite certain that if we do not have an open attitude towards the review of the NPP’s constitution vis-à-vis the way we select our presidential and parliamentary candidates, the present constitution could become the greatest obstacle to our party’s future fortunes and progress. In view of the foregoing we from the party in the diaspora have presented a proposal to the Party Headquarters for this Conference to discuss and debate on a possible constitutional amendment.

We have also presented another resolution about our representation at party congresses.

From the diaspora, we have served and continue to serve our country and party in all spheres of national politics and public life. Our periodic, sizeable and consistent financial contributions have served the party well at all times. (In fact,) We believe that no other constituency or branch party of the NPP can rival our contributions and services to our party especially when we were in opposition. It is therefore just fair that the strong overseas branch party be put in its rightful place, accorded special status and given fair representation in the party machinery. In addition to the above, we believe that the overseas branches could be considered as human resource bank to serve as the engine for the promotion of party political activism in the Diaspora, and eventually used in human resource development in mainline politics in Ghana.

We also do believe that, in fairness to and in consideration of the special circumstances in which overseas branches operate and (to) serve as a catalyst for growth and activism, these branches with up to 500 members should be entitled to elect one delegate per 100 members or part thereof.

The UK & Ireland branch party for example has been a very active and dynamic branch of the NPP with membership base of over 500; Having worked very hard and consistently to uphold, strengthen and promote the ideals of our great party. We have shown continued commitment to strengthening the NPP as a party for the promotion of the political desires of our Founding Fathers

We therefore resolve and plead with this Conference to be resolved that we address the issues raised here and in the spirit of Articles 6, 8, 9 and other relevant articles of the NPP Constitution for the sole benefit of the NPP that: The representative strength of the UK and Ireland branch party and other qualifying overseas branches on the National Delegates Conference be increased from one to a minimum of five delegates on the grounds of membership strength as well as on the basis of financial and other contributions to the party. We sincerely hope that this will be given a serious consideration here and now.

I would like to take this opportunity to announce to you that we are in negotiation with the National Executive Committee to organize an NPP International Conference in London from the 15th to 17th March this year, and you are all invited. The theme for the conference is Building on President Kufuor’s legacy to strengthen the NPP for leadership in Ghanaian politics – the role of the Party, the government and the Diasporan effort and You are all invited.

Long live the Danquah-Busia tradition, Long live NPP,. KUKRUDU!!!!!! KUKRUDU!!!!!! KUKRUDU!!!!!!

NPP Shall Live God bless you all.

(Speech delivered by Hayford Atta-Krufi, Branch Chairman